Video glitch delays Disaneng robbery case

By Thabiso Gaselebelwe

The courtroom in Mafikeng fell into a tense silence on Monday morning as State Prosecutor Nthabiseng Nthabeng stood before the Molopo Regional Magistrate’s Court, clutching a USB drive that was meant to speak louder than words.

On that drive, she claimed, lay the crucial video evidence, footage that could seal the fate of five men accused of a violent armed robbery in Disaneng village, about 40 kilometres outside Mahikeng.

However, when the moment arrived, the screen remained black.

A technical glitch and a courtroom full of gasps. And a video, perhaps the most critical piece of evidence in one of the town’s most closely watched robbery cases, refused to play.

The five accused, July Shabangu, 30, Andries Shabangu, 46, August Masimola, 27, Ikakanyeng Baepa, 30, and Innocent Zulu, 54, stood motionless as the prosecutor’s frustration filled the room.

Their case stems from  May 24, 2024, robbery in which a 40-year-old businessman from Disaneng was allegedly ambushed by five heavily armed men.

The attackers reportedly stormed his shop, stole his cellphones (an iPhone and a Samsung), an undisclosed amount of cash, and brutally assaulted him before fleeing.

According to the investigating officer, the suspects acted “in common purpose,” coordinating their attack with military precision.

The courtroom was packed with community members, all waiting for the state’s video, which sources say could depict the suspects’ moments before or after the robbery.

But with the equipment malfunctioning, the evidence remained unseen, leaving only whispers and speculation.

“I will have that video ready before Friday. The state will not be deterred by a technical issue,” vowed Nthabeng.

She further committed to sharing the footage with all defence lawyers, citing the accused’s constitutional right to disclosure.

Legal analysts describe the glitch as a “temporary setback,” but one that underscores the fragility of digital evidence in high-profile cases.

“In a case of this magnitude, every detail counts. If that footage truly exists, it could shift the entire balance of this trial,” he said.

The suspects are scheduled to return to court on December 11 for a pre-trial conference, where the long-awaited video is expected to make its debut, assuming it can finally be played.

This courtroom drama unfolds against a broader backdrop: South Africa’s ongoing struggle with aggravated robbery, which rose by 2.9% in 2023–2024.

The North West province, though showing an overall 3.9% decrease in crime, continues to battle violent robberies that leave communities living in fear.

Blurb:

A courtroom drama, a frozen screen, and a village waiting for justice. What happened inside the Molopo Regional Court when the most crucial video in a robbery case refused to play?