Norbet Zapambela Appears in Court Following Viral Cellphone Snatching Incident
Norbet Zapambela, a 26-year-old man who became infamous for allegedly snatching a cellphone from a diner at a popular Pretoria restaurant, made his first court appearance on Friday at the Hatfield Magistrate’s Court. This incident took place on 28 December at Kream Restaurant in Brooklyn and was widely publicised after video footage of the robbery circulated on social media.
Zapambela faces a single robbery charge related to this incident, and the police allege that he is connected to numerous cellphone snatching incidents across Gauteng. He is scheduled to return to court on 16 January for bail proceedings.
During the court session, Zapambela appeared calm, dressed in a brown jacket, black-and-red sweatpants, white socks, and sandals. His legal representative, advocate Selepe Bopape, successfully opposed a media application to broadcast the court proceedings. Bopape asserted that the media's request lacked sufficient substance and had not been adequately motivated or submitted to the court in a timely manner.
“I don’t want to be famous. I don’t want to be in the media. I need to consult with my client about the media applications,” Bopape stated. He argued that the media should make a more substantial effort and submit a formal application before the court for future requests. While prosecutor Stefan Swart indicated that the State did not oppose the media's application, Magistrate JC Kruger sided with the defence, ruling that the objections presented had merit. The media was permitted to cover the proceedings without cameras, however.
The video depicting the theft, which has attracted extensive attention online, showed Zapambela grabbing an iPhone from a diner before fleeing the scene. Following the video's viral spread, police launched a manhunt for him. Reports also emerged from a social media user claiming that she had been robbed by Zapambela in 2023.
After his arrest on 30 December in Hillbrow, Zapambela gained further notoriety as footage of his apprehension went viral, drawing praise for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s (JMPD) undercover Tactical Response Unit from many observers. In one video recorded after his arrest, Zapambela reportedly confessed to operating mainly in Pretoria while revealing that his accomplices were active in other parts of Gauteng. He expressed remorse for his alleged actions and pleaded for forgiveness.
Authorities identified Zapambela as a Zimbabwean national, contradicting his earlier assertion of being a South African citizen. At the time of his arrest, police found him in possession of multiple cellphones.
MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE30 DECEMBER 2025
JMPD TACTICAL RESPONSE UNIT APPREHENDS VIRAL PHONE SNATCHER AND SYNDICATE MEMBERS IN INNER-CITY CRACKDOWN
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit has successfully apprehended a… pic.twitter.com/96CEJ31POL
— Jo'burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) December 30, 2025
Additionally, Zapambela led officers to a shop in Johannesburg where three Bangladeshi nationals were arrested for allegedly destroying evidence by “flushing” cellphone memories. The shop was suspected of being a hub for the buying and selling of stolen devices.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla previously informed News24 that Zapambela is linked to numerous cellphone thefts across Gauteng, and he is also wanted in connection with the hijacking of an off-duty JMPD officer in March last year. It was reported that he may have been using a Toyota Corolla with cloned registration plates during his crimes.
Further videos and images circulating online suggested that Zapambela had a history of previous arrests for similar offences within the province.
Both Zapambela and the three Bangladeshi nationals have already made appearances in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court concerning related charges. As he awaits the preparation of his bail hearing, with his next court date set for 16 January, the case continues to capture public interest amidst ongoing discussions about crime and safety in Gauteng.
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