Alfred Moseakgomo and Masoka Dube

Alfred Moseakgomo and Masoka Dube

While three suspects appeared in court yesterday on charges of car theft, two more were arrested for being in possession of a stolen car in Mpumalanga.

The two, who were also in possession of an unlicensed gun, were nabbed in Marapyane, KwaMhlanga.

"Police are still trying to trace the owners of this stolen car, which is a white Toyota Conquest," said police spokesman Hastings Chaane of Mmametlhake police.

"The suspects face charges of being in possession of a stolen vehicle and an unlicensed firearm," said Chaane.

Chaane said a community member called police after seeing a car without registration numbers.

In the other matter, three Mozambican nationals were denied bail in the Belfast magistrate's court yesterday.

Antonio Bowa, 22, Armando Mathebula, 21, and Robert Ngule, 29, were not asked to plead when they appeared on charges of vehicle theft.

Police said the men were remanded in custody pending their next court appearance on Monday.

Mpumalanga police spokesman Superintendent Abie Khoabane said police received a tip-off that the men would be travelling in a stolen vehicle on the N4 road to Mozambique.

"In the early hours of Wednesday the police decided to set up a roadblock in Belfast. After a few minutes a VW Golf that fitted the description the informer gave to the police appeared travelling at high speed.

"The driver ignored the sign to stop and police gave chase. The suspects stopped and fled on foot. But, luck was not on their side and they were arrested," Khoabane said.

Investigations revealed that the vehicle was stolen in Kagiso in Gauteng province.