/ 28 June 2006

Police mull whether to release names of gang

Not all of the eight robbers shot dead with four policemen in a house in Jeppestown on Sunday have been identified yet, Gauteng police said on Wednesday.

Police were also still considering whether to make their names public once their identities had been established, Senior-Superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht said.

There had been no new developments in the case, following the court appearance on Tuesday of 11 people arrested after the siege. They are expected to return to court on July 27.

A court order prohibits publication of their names, addresses or of identifiable pictures and video footage.

Police had gone to the house to apprehend a gang believed to have held up a supermarket in Honeydew, north-west of Johannesburg, on Sunday.

They had been directed to the street by a man arrested shortly after the robbery.

The four policemen — Inspectors Frederick ”Frikkie” van Heerden (32) Nzama Victor Mathye (49) both of the West Rand dog unit; Sergeant Gert Schoeman (30) of the West Rand emergency response service; and Constable Peter Francois Seaward (31) of the Johannesburg dog unit — and eight robbers or their associates were killed during a shootout with police units trying to bring them out.

A memorial for the policemen will be held at 10.30am at the Little Falls Christian Centre on the West Rand on Thursday morning.

Spokesperson Superintendent Milica Bezuidenhout advised people planning to attend to arrive by at least 10am to secure a seat in what is expected to be a well-attended service. – Sapa