JEFFREYS BAY- Three men from Durban and a Jeffreys Bay resident appeared in court on Monday in connection with an alleged R3 Million jewellery store robbery at Fountains Mall.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape, the accused are Mfana Fikile Myaka (33), Siphelele Sithole (26) and Bongani Radebe (33) all from Umlazi in Durban as well as Ayanda Mbangata (36) of Ocean View, Jeffreys Bay.
The four face charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of stolen property and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The NPA alleges that on Saturday 02 August 2026, the accused entered Gabriels Jewellery Shop at Fountains Mall, where they allegedly assaulted employees before fleeing with jewellery valued at approximately R3 Million.
Eastern Cape NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the suspects were later arrested at the N2 Wind Farm in Nelson Mandela Bay, where police allegedly recovered jewellery worth about R600,000. Officers also allegedly seized a single AK-47 round which the accused were not legally authorised to possess.
During the court proceedings, the State opposed bail arguing that the matter falls under Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act due to the serious nature of the charges.
“The State is opposing bail on the basis that this is a Schedule 6 offence and the interests of justice do not permit the release of the accused,” the prosecution submitted.
The court also heard details of the accused’s previous convictions. Myaka has prior theft convictions dating back to 2012 and 2018, while Sithole was convicted of possession of stolen property in 2023. Radebe has a 2012 theft conviction and Mbangata has previous convictions for drug possession (2012) and assault (2013).
In addition the matter was postponed for a formal bail application, which is scheduled to be heard on 11 August 2026.
The accused remain in custody pending the outcome of the bail proceedings.
Photographs: Supplied/ NPA
Sthabile Sambela
05 August 2026
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