DORDRECHT — Two men are facing serious charges following a Dordrecht business robbery that took place at a retail shop in Munnikville Location. The incident led to the arrest of 46-year-old Sizwe Happy Mashinini and 46-year-old Moses Bakwena, who were apprehended by local law enforcement after a swift investigation.
The suspects appeared before the Dordrecht Magistrate’s Court on July 9, 2026, formally facing charges of business robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and possession of suspected stolen property.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred on the evening of July 7, 2026, at approximately 19:30. According to authorities, a 39-year-old Ethiopian national was working at his business premises when a gunshot and aggressive shouting were heard outside. Eight young men, who were using the shop’s WiFi, fled the area out of fear for their safety.
The two suspects allegedly forced their way into the store. One individual reportedly pointed a firearm directly at the shop owner, while the second suspect moved behind the counter. The unarmed suspect collected various items, including an undisclosed amount of cash, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitor, a flash card machine, cigarette cartons, and packets of sweets. The total estimated value of the stolen goods is R12,000.
Police were summoned to the scene and subsequently recovered a single empty 9mm cartridge and one live 9mm round. A case of business robbery was officially opened at the Dordrecht Police Station for further investigation.
The breakthrough in the case occurred the following morning on July 8, 2026. At approximately 09:00, while conducting routine patrols along the R56 Molteno Road, Dordrecht Police encountered two suspicious individuals. Officers stopped the men and requested permission to search their luggage.
The search yielded significant evidence linking them to the previous night’s crime. Police recovered a 9mm pistol with a filed-off serial number, a magazine, 13 live 9mm rounds, two cigarette cartons, a packet of Cadbury eclairs, and an undisclosed sum of cash.
Unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing the items, Mashinini and Bakwena were arrested on the spot and detained at the Dordrecht police holding cells. Following their court appearance on July 9, the pair was remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear on July 16, 2026, for a formal bail application.