GIYANI – Three people were arrested in the Giyani Shopping Centre last week, as part of Operation Crackdown. They were arrested on charges of attempted kidnapping and robbery.

The accused, Samuel Mhangwane (27), Ozzy Shimange (47) and Thomas Shilubane (33) of Nkowankowa Township near Tzaneen allegedly smeared a 71-year old lady with a "magic muti" with the aim of robbing her.

According to the spokesperson of the Giyani Police, Insp. Hasani Steven Mabasa, the alleged kidnapping and robbery took place in the afternoon of March 6, at the Giyani Shopping Centre. A member of Operation Crackdown witnessed the incident.

The old woman is said to have been coming from First National Bank, where she withdrew an undisclosed amount of money. The robbers followed her and allegedly forced her into a vehicle. The member of Operation Crackdown then stopped the car, which was about to drive off and arrested the accused.

The victim then indicated that one of the accused had smeared her with a "magic muti" resembling dirty oil, just after she was forced into the car.

The three accused appeared in the Magistrate's Court last Friday and the case has been postponed to March 15. All the accused remain in custody and were not granted any bail.