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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A BAIL hearing for three Zimbabwean men and a South African woman who were recently arrested for allegedly killing two Zimbabwean women, raping three others and kidnapping 28 fellow countrymen in the neighbouring country has been moved to the North Gauteng High Court. The matter was supposed to be heard yesterday at Thembisa Magistrates’ Court in Johannesburg but was elevated to the High Court with a hearing set for February 5.

Charles Cecil Brewer aka Boss, 36, of Nketa 7 in Bulawayo, his South African wife Madida Petition Sicelo aka Sister, 30, Jaheni Luphahla aka Satan, 28, of Old Lobengula in Bulawayo and Phathumuzi Sibanda, 27, of Emakhandeni in Bulawayo allegedly committed the offences between May 30 and July 11.

The four were all remanded in custody pending their bail application. The gang was formally charged for murder, rape of three women, kidnapping of twenty eight people, assault (GBH), robbery and human trafficking. They are believed to be part of a syndicate targeting women travelling between Musina and Johannesburg.

The gang was rounded up during a police sting operation in Musina on July 25 while preying on unsuspecting victims who were travelling to Johannesburg. Sources close to investigation said the arrests bring to 10 the number of people held for terrorising Zimbabweans travelling to that country.

The other suspects are Wisani Sithole, Godknows Dube, Bongani Ngwenya, Sibusiso Ndlovu, Malvin Ndaba and Nkosinathi Ncube who are still in police custody pending trial in Johannesburg. It is understood that the syndicate operates from Total and Engen filling stations and a house in Musina where they pounce on Zimbabwean hitch-hikers travelling to Gauteng province.

The syndicate has claimed the lives of Olga Gwena, 25 of Chitungwiza and Esther Mwenda, believed to be from Harare. The suspects allegedly used South African registered private vehicles and touts to lure the unsuspecting victims into their cars. Upon getting to Johannesburg, the suspects would turn violent and detain their victims after stripping them of various valuables including money.

They would also demand money from the victims’ relatives to secure their release. The money which ranges from R2,000 would be paid at various money agencies including Shoprite, PEP, and Spar or Cambridge stores among others.