E1M ROBBERY: TEACHER’S CO-ACCUSED SPILLS BEANS

MANZINI – The female teacher who is accused of armed robbery, yesterday made her maiden court appearance.
Khumbuzile Nomcebo Nkambule (42) was allegedly involved in an armed robbery that saw E1 122 226 in cash and cellphones stolen from an MTN outlet at Manzini Sophie Complex.
Her co-accused, who appeared separately, in a confession, spilled the beans on how the crime was committed and how much each of them allegedly received as their share.
Nkambule, from Helemisi, is alleged to have committed the offence with her relative and four South African men. They allegedly planned and executed the robbery on September 30.
Appearing before Manzini Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi, Nkambule was charged with robbery after being accused of collaborating with the armed men, a traditional healer and a relative in a plot to use muti (traditional medicine) to aid them in committing the crime. One of the co-accused, Sandile Gwebu, who has since been arrested, confessed about his involvement in the crime during a court appearance on Tuesday, shedding light on the details of the robbery.

Gunpoint

According to the charge sheet, Nkambule purportedly used force and violence at gunpoint to rob Janulabedim Patel, a shop owner. She is said to have stolen various items, including two Nokia C3 cellphones valued at E4 400, a Huawei cellphone valued at E400, and another Nokia C3 worth E1 300. In addition, over E1 million in cash was taken from Patel’s lawful possession. An impeccable source provided further details, revealing how the robbery unfolded. Gwebu reportedly received a call from the teacher’s brother, Mbongeni, a traditional healer from Mbekelweni, who explained that he needed Gwebu’s help for a ‘job.’ When Gwebu arrived at the traditional healer’s home, he was reportedly asked if his car was in good condition for the task.
Upon hearing that it was not, the healer supposedly arranged for Bakhe Dlamini, the teacher’s husband, to provide a vehicle for the operation. The nature of the ‘job’ was not specified at this point.
The healer is said to have then contacted four South African men via WhatsApp, informing them that the car was ready and they would be picked up by Bakhe at Sicunusa Border Gate.

Firearms

The four men arrived with firearms, and spent the night at Gwebu’s place. The next day, they set off for the location of the planned robbery.According to the source, the healer gave the group muti to sprinkle at the scene of the crime. Upon arrival at the MTN shop on the previous day, the group scanned the area, determining where to position the getaway car, which was parked near Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre. They planned to use the Toyota Leites route to escape.The robbery was set to take place the following day. Bakhe suggested that his wife join the operation to help distract the security guard. Bakhe’s wife, who is Nkambule’s sister, travelled in Gwebu’s car, while Bakhe drove the four South Africans in his vehicle.
On the day of the robbery, Nkambule reportedly exited the vehicle to carry out her role of distracting the security guard.

However, she was reportedly instructed to wait outside as the South Africans had entered the shop, armed with guns. Gwebu, who had witnessed the armed men overpowering the security guard, retreated, while Nkambule went to the nearby Manzini Bus Rank, eventually waiting at Build it. Meanwhile, the getaway car remained parked at Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre.It was later revealed that an employee at the MTN outlet had tipped off the robbers, providing information about the cash in the store, the safe keys and the number of workers present. Gwebu witnessed the armed men leaving the store with two money bags. He was then called by Nkambule, who asked him to pick her up from Build it.
After picking her, they were contacted by the South Africans, who enquired if they had seen any police officers along the way. They were told there were none.

Laptops

The armed men reportedly informed the duo that they had discarded laptops and cellphones stolen from the shop during their escape. Upon reaching the designated meeting point, Nkambule and Gwebu found the men dividing the stolen money. It was reported that Nkambule received E40 000 as her share, with Gwebu receiving the same amount. The remainder of the money was reportedly split among the South Africans, based on their roles in the robbery.Afterward, the South Africans stashed their firearms in Bakhe’s car, and he drove them to Sicunusa Border Gate, where he crossed legally. The other robbers used an informal crossing point, meeting up with Bakhe on the South African side, where he dropped them off at their homes.The robbery appeared to have gone unnoticed until police officers approached Gwebu on Monday, informing him that Nkambule had been arrested in connection to the crime. Investigations revealed that the group was also linked to other robberies across the country. Nkambule’s case continues, and the court is set to hear further evidence.
She was remanded in custody until November 27, pending committal to the High Court.

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