A man accused of robbing a Noordhoek convenience store with three accomplices appeared in the Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court last Friday.
Siyabanda Zetu, 24, was arrested in the Hou Moed Avenue wetlands on Sunday September 22 after allegedly robbing the Noordhoek Supermarket.
He was shot in his right hand and could not appear in court earlier as he had been in hospital. His three alleged accomplices are still at large.
He appeared in the dock with his hand and arm bandaged and stitches on the top of his head. He wore a black puffer jacket with the words “youth dreams,” and “men of God” on the back.
The court heard that Mr Zetu claimed he had been abused while in police custody.
He opted for legal aid and was not asked to plea. No details of the case were discussed, and his case was postponed for further investigation.
Three men entered the family-run store at 6.30pm on Sunday September 22, while a fourth remained outside.
One of the robbers pushed a manager, at gunpoint, into the office and ordered him to open the safe, while the other two robbers chased shoppers out of the store, except for two young women whom they used later as human shields and then let go of them as they fled the store.
Mr Zetu has been charged with business robbery, kidnapping, attempted murder, assault, intimidation and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition (“Business robberies spike,” Echo, October 3).
He will be back in court on Tuesday October 22 and will remain in custody until then.
