A Mbhashe municipality ANC councillor, Ntombifuthi Tomose, 38, has been arrested in connection with a charge of business robbery.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said it was alleged that the complainant was in his shop in Ngxakaxha village, Dutywa, with two customers on Thursday afternoon when the robbery occurred.
Two men entered, chased away the customers and pointed a firearm at the owner.
“Two other suspects entered and took cigarettes, airtime, a cellphone and cash,” she said.
The total value of the stolen cash and goods was R12,355.
The robbers then drove off.
“Police, the Mbhashe law enforcement officers and the community chased after them and five suspects, aged between 25 and 40, were apprehended,” Naidu said.
“One of the suspects is a ward councillor.”
The suspects, including the councillor, were expected to appear in the Dutywa magistrate’s court later on Tuesday on a charge of business robbery.
Mbhashe municipality spokesperson Babalwa Magqwanti said the municipality was aware of the arrest.
“We will be launching our own internal investigation. The law must take its course and justice must prevail.
“We condemn lawlessness and any kind and it would be unfortunate if it would be a community leader who should be an example in conduct and being principled.”
Both Amathole ANC regional chair Sheila Xego and regional secretary Nombuyekezo Nkwenkwezi-Ncetezo declined to comment on the arrest, saying they had insufficient information.
“The arrest alone is regrettable for a public representative deployed by the ANC as that may have elements of tarnishing the integrity of the ANC,” Nkwenkwezi-Ncetezo said.
“A decision on whether the step-aside rule will be effected will depend on the information we are gathering on the matter — if she is charged she will be subjected to the step-aside rule.
“The ANC reaffirms its stance against criminal activities — we have full confidence [in] the state organs to process the matter to its logical conclusion.”
ANC provincial spokesperson Loyiso Magqashela said the party strongly condemned any acts of criminality.
“Given the fact that the ward councillor has been formally charged, ANC corrective measures will be implemented as per the ANC constitution and guidelines on disciplinary matters dictate,” he said
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the councillor appeared in court with co-accused Lubabalo Turwana, 26, Siphenathi Njoloza, 21, Luntu Zondani, 26, and Siphe Macholi, 24, charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances.
“It is alleged that the five were involved in the robbery of a business, run by a foreign national in Ngxakaxha area in the district of Dutywa,” he said.
The case has been postponed to next Wednesday for bail application.
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