Ten Accused to Face Trial for Audacious Malamulele Police Station Robbery

Ten Men to Stand Trial After Daring Malamulele Police Robbery

The quiet of Malamulele was shattered when ten men allegedly stormed the local police station, overpowering officers and making off with firearms. Now, nearly four years later, the accused are set to face justice in the Polokwane High Court, with proceedings beginning on 3 November 2025.

A Crime That Shook Limpopo

The audacious robbery occurred between 2021 and 2022, leaving residents and law enforcement alike reeling. According to NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the ten accusedranging in age from 23 to 51are facing 94 charges, including robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, conspiracy to commit robbery, and possession of explosives.

During the attack, officers at the Malamulele station were reportedly held at gunpoint, bundled into a police van, and forced to open the station safe. The suspects allegedly made off with R5 rifles, 9mm pistols, shotguns, and ammunition.

From Police Station to Violent Spree

Following the theft, the firearms allegedly fueled a series of violent crimes across Limpopo and Mpumalanga, targeting petrol stations, hardware stores, restaurants, and motorists in towns including Giyani, Sekgosese, Bolobedu, Waterval, Mokwakwaila, Botlokwa, Bandelierkop, and Bushbuckridge.

“The suspects reportedly stole cash, cellphones, and jewellery while threatening victims with the stolen firearms,” Malabi-Dzhangi said. Ballistics tests later confirmed that cartridges recovered from these crime scenes matched the stolen weapons, linking the men to multiple offences.

Community Outcry and Police Response

At the time, the heist sent shockwaves through Limpopo, highlighting concerns about the safety of police officers and the security of firearms kept in police stations. Social media and local communities were abuzz, with residents questioning how the station could be breached so easily.

Following the attack, the acting national commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Franscinah Vuma, ordered the 72-hour activation plan, tasking the provincial commissioner to quickly respond to the breach and prevent further attacks.

Court Proceedings Ahead

The trial, delayed by forensic investigations and legal processes, is expected to run for approximately three weeks. The accusedFokisi Godfrey Mabunda, Tshepho Mamila Masha, Gardon Tumpi Makutu, Desmond Teleki Phala, Lucas Kotoane Mahabane, Tebogo Frederick Ramalatso, Nicholas Maharaji Manzini, Tshepiso Matemana, and Lesley Dimakatso Leshabaneremain in custody, facing the full weight of the law.

Legal analysts note that the case underscores the challenges police face in securing stations and the broader need for vigilance against organised crime networks in the region.

A Cautionary Tale

The Malamulele robbery remains one of Limpopo’s most notorious heists in recent years, reminding communities and law enforcement alike that even those sworn to uphold the law are vulnerable if procedures and safeguards are compromised. As the trial unfolds, residents hope that justice will finally be served and that lessons learned will strengthen police operations across the province.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com