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Handcuffs and fingerprints.
Eleven accused have appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court for alleged robberies that took place in the Bloemfontein CBD last week. Two of the accused were represented by their legal representative in absentia as the court heard they were hospitalised following their arrests.
The accused are facing charges of robbery with accused number 11 facing two counts of receiving suspected stolen goods and corruption.
The court heard the accused were linked to the crimes via video footage that went viral last week depicting robberies that happened in broad daylight in the Bloemfontein city centre, as well as witness statements.
The court postponed the matter to next Monday for a formal bail application and verification of the accused’s addresses.
The shocking viral footage of broad daylight robberies in Bloemfontein’s CBD has sparked public outcry.
Two videos depicting violent attacks on unsuspecting victims went viral on social media. In one incident, a woman is seen being forcefully pulled out of a vehicle while trying to fight off a group of at least five men who appear to be robbing her.In another incident, a man is ambushed, assaulted and pickpocketed by a group of attackers.
Nine of the accused in the Bloemfontein CBD robberies have opted to use the services of legal aid to represent them. One accused has chosen to represent himself. Two others who are hospitalised could not appear in court.
