News / Local
4 Zimbabwean armed robbers appears in an SA court
25 Oct 2011 at 10:22hrs | Views
Robbery accused Bongani Moyo, who escaped from custody in August by walking out of a Pretoria court, today asked a magistrate to have his shackles removed.
He made the request when he and three co-accused appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Moyo appeared in court via a video link from Pretoria Central Prison.
Moyo and his co-accused, Leon Ncube, Khumbulani Sibanda and Thabani Sibanda, face several charges of armed robbery.
When Magistrate Maryke de la Rey said the four would remain in custody until December 13, Moyo raised his hand to get her attention.
"I have a request. I am staying in shackles every time. Is there anything you can do (about the shackles)?," he asked.
De la Rey instructed Moyo's lawyer from the Legal Aid Board to discuss the issue with prison officials.
She assured Moyo that his lawyer would ask that the shackles be removed.
They were introduced at the request of prosecutor, Werner Gibson after Moyo made headlines when he escaped from the same court.
He was using crutches when he was brought to court by prison officials on August 10.
He escaped by nonchalantly walking out of the court buildings along with members of the public.
Moyo was arrested three weeks later.
It was not the Zimbabwean's first escape attempt. In March, Moyo escaped from Boksburg prison. He was arrested almost three months later.
Moyo is accused of involvement in more than 35 bank robberies and other robberies.
He is to stand trial in November for the court escape.
He made the request when he and three co-accused appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Moyo appeared in court via a video link from Pretoria Central Prison.
Moyo and his co-accused, Leon Ncube, Khumbulani Sibanda and Thabani Sibanda, face several charges of armed robbery.
When Magistrate Maryke de la Rey said the four would remain in custody until December 13, Moyo raised his hand to get her attention.
"I have a request. I am staying in shackles every time. Is there anything you can do (about the shackles)?," he asked.
De la Rey instructed Moyo's lawyer from the Legal Aid Board to discuss the issue with prison officials.
She assured Moyo that his lawyer would ask that the shackles be removed.
He was using crutches when he was brought to court by prison officials on August 10.
He escaped by nonchalantly walking out of the court buildings along with members of the public.
Moyo was arrested three weeks later.
It was not the Zimbabwean's first escape attempt. In March, Moyo escaped from Boksburg prison. He was arrested almost three months later.
Moyo is accused of involvement in more than 35 bank robberies and other robberies.
He is to stand trial in November for the court escape.
Source - Sapa
