The two suspects, Lance Corporal Sidwel Babini Tyawana (36) and Sapper Tumelo Christian Mangale (28), arrested for allegedly stealing rifles from the South African National Defence Force Pretoria military base were granted bail by a Court of Senior Military Judge on Wednesday, 22 April 2020.
The two suspects were arrested following a joint investigation by the Military Police and Gauteng branch of the Hawks National Priority Violent Crimes (NPVC) after eighteen (18) R4 rifles and three (3) pistols went missing from SA Army Engineer Formation, Tek Base in Lyttelton.
The National Head of the DPCI Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has applauded the joint investigation team and urged not to rest until the remaining unaccounted firearms are recovered and also make sure that everyone involved is brought to book.
Meanwhile, the Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Solly Shoke, has commended the swift action of the joint investigations team that led to the arrest of the suspects. General Shoke reiterated that the military is not the place for criminals and that those found committing crime will be dealt with through the full mighty of the law.
