GIYANI – A resident of Giyani Township, David Mkanisi (31), appeared in the Giyani Regional Court on Monday on two counts of armed robbery.

The incident took place at Bafana Bafana Hardware in the Giyani Shopping Complex late last year. According to the police spokesperson, Insp Hasani Mabasa, it is alleged that Mkanisi had approached the owner of the hardware shop at gunpoint and demanded money. He later fled with R13 000 in cash.

The Giyani Operation Bull Dozer and POP Unit members arrested him later that day. He has already appeared in court several times. The case had been postponed to June 7 and he was not granted any bail.

Another accused's fate has not been decided as his murder case was postponed. A 29-year old man of Shimange Village appeared in the Regional Court in Giyani last week. It is alleged that Reckson Baladzi murdered his girlfriend last year.

Insp. Mabaso said it is alleged that the victim was in the veld busy collecting firewood with her two little daughters. Baladzi then followed them and attacked the deceased. He allegedly chopped her to death. Baladzi's case was postponed to May 7. He remains in custody and was not granted any bail.

In another case, a resident of Shivulani Village, Magezi Elias Novela (55) appeared in the Regional Court in Giyani on a charge of murder. Novela is accused of killing Wilson Chabalala (25) in August 2000.

The incident took place at Shivulani Village. It is alleged that both the men were having an affair with the same woman.

According to the police, Novela visited the woman and found that Chabalala was there. He then became very angry and started to exchange words with Chabalala.

Novela then allegedly produced a knife and stabbed Chabalala with the knife. Chabalala later died from a stab wound in the left chest.

The case was postponed to April 12 and the accused was given bail of R1 000.