Viral cellphone snatcher's case postponed

The man, who went viral on social media in December for snatching a woman's cellphone in Pretoria, briefly appeared in the Hatfield Magistrates Court on Thursday. 

Nobert Zapambela is charged with robbery after he was filmed snatching a woman's cellphone before fleeing in a vehicle in Brooklyn. 

He was arrested by members of Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) two days later. 

The media were denied access to film proceedings at the Hatfield Magistrates Court, where Zapambela appeared on charges of robbery. 

Zapambela appeared briefly in a brown sweater, where his case was remanded to next Friday for bail information. 

His attorney-advocate, Dolphy Bobape, argued against three applications brought by the media to have the proceedings filmed.

Bopape claimed the media applications were vague and that they should be redrafted and presented prior to his client's next appearance. 

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This, despite Zapambela's face having gone viral on social media during the robbery incident as well as upon his arrest. 

Zapambela was found with several cellphones, all iPhones, as well as cloned vehicle registration plates. 

Upon his arrest, Johannesburg MMC for public safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, questioned and filmed Zapambela about his crimes in an X post that obtained close to 100 thousand views.