Police officers in court for robbery

Five police officers and four others accused of robbing a taxi association appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court on Monday, Gauteng police said.

Captain Mphande Khoza said the matter was postponed to January 23 for a bail application.

"The State requested more time for the investigation to consult with a few of the witnesses," he said.

Sergeant Brenda Letsiela, 35, her husband France Ndlayane, 49, Constable Trevor Mbalati, 27, Constable Rabelani Tshitakole, 29, reservist Constables Zakhele Sikhosana, 27, and Bongani Mdakane, 31, as well as Musina Silasi, 57, France Modondo, 54, and Richard Funani, 40, appeared in court.

They were arrested on January 5 and 6 following a robbery at the Witwatersrand African Taxi Association's office on December 9 last year.

The group allegedly held security guards at gunpoint, broke into a safe, and stole R160,000 from the association's office at a disused Engen garage along Roodepoort Road in Soweto.

At the time, Letsiela was already on suspension in connection with another robbery.

She and the two reservists, who had since been expelled from the service, allegedly robbed a Pakistani-owned shop in Langlaagte, Johannesburg of R90,000.