The 7th and final suspect appeared in the Port Elizabeth magistrates’ court today, 3/02 for the alleged murders and robberies of the two elderly women at the Stella Londt Retirement Home in October 2019.
Akhona Mnxeba(28) was arrested on Thursday, 30/01 along with 7 other suspects allegedly involved in a house robbery at 02:30 in Strandfontein Street in Summerstrand. The 19-year-old teenage complainant was asleep when she was awoken by someone who held his hand over her mouth and warned her to keep quiet. There were three suspects in total. She was tied up and the suspects took her laptop, Samsung Galaxy 20, vodafone wi-fi router, an undisclosed amount of cash, clothing and a few other items. .She managed to untie herself and alerted the police.
At about 06:15, the same morning 8 suspects were arrested by PE K9 unit in Qongqothwane Street, Walmer Location. All the stolen property was recovered.
The suspects aged between 20 and 37 is appearing in court today, 3/02 on charges of possession of suspected stolen property while additional charges of house robbery were added to three suspects . Mnxeba who was sought by police for the murder of the elderly women were among the suspects arrested.
It is alleged that on Thursday, 10/10 at about 05:45, staff found Ms Agnes Elaine Burns, 91-year-old and Ms Rosemary Langton (87) murdered in separate rooms at the Retirement Centre in Stella Londt Drive in Port Elizabeth.
Kruger rands, elite watches, gold rings and a wedding ring with a precious stone as well as other jewellery and a cellphone were taken.
In October 2019, 5 suspects were arrested and have since appeared in court. In November 2019, two accused namely Panganai Mike Mabwe (27) pleaded guilty to money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA) and was sentenced to R 5000 fine or 12 months imprisonment and 3 years imprisonment suspended for 3 years and Craig Nyasha Madiro (20) pleaded guilty to money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998(POCA) and was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment suspended for 3 years. The two accused were in possession of the stolen cellphones belonging to one of the deceased woman.
The other accused, Nombebisi Slangveld (34) who at the time was a carer at the home and on duty during the night of the murders, Mkhuseli Damaneti (30) and Nyasha Manyange (33) and Luxolo Kruisjan(31) remain in custody. They are charged with 2 x murder, 2 x House robbery; 2 x kidnapping and conspiracy to commit robbery. Mnxeba was also charged for the murder, house robbery, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit robbery and appeared in court on 3/02. He will again appear in court on the 18 March 2020 with his co-accused.
Source: South African Police Service