Magistrate Ronnie Rambau delivered a not-guilty verdict on Thursday, September 13, in favour of the two men accused to have been involved in a daring armed robbery at Solly’s Discount World in Louis Trichardt on December 12, 2003.

Mandla Godfrey Mgcina (26) from Shoshonguve and Walter Masanabo, also known as "Lolo" from Winterveldt, appeared before magistrate Rambau and was acquitted of all the charges against them.

It was believed that both suspects were involved in the armed robbery. According to information, four armed suspects overwhelmed security guards in front of the store’s entrance, while they were busy picking up cash from the business.

A wild shooting erupted between the robbers and the security guards, during which one robber and one security guard were wounded.

The wounded gunman was left behind, as his fellow robber made a run for it with a large amount of stolen money. Mgcina was found shortly afterwards, hiding in the garden of the Dutch Reformed Church, less than a street block away.

Advocate Ailain De Meilon from the Director of Public Prosecutions’ office in Pretoria was tasked to represent the state in the trial.

In the case, all the evidence, consisting of a gun, bullet points, bullet shards and casings which were found at the crime scene, was handed in as evidence. The State was sure to get a guilty verdict. A case of hijacking was also added to the charges, after a vehicle was found connected with the robbery.

Magistrate Rambau, however, was obviously not convinced by the State to impose a guilty verdict and acquitted both suspects on the charges of armed robbery and attempted murder.