R60 000 bail for accused smuggler of guns to gangs

DURBAN gun dealer Anderson Padayachee, who is accused of having smuggled firearms to the Terrible Josters gang operating in Bonteheuwel, was granted R60 000 bail yesterday.

Padayachee, who appeared in the Worcester Magistrate’s Court for the alleged schedule 5 offence, faces 61 criminal charges which include the sale of guns to gangs in the Western Cape, eight counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, plus fraud and money laundering charges.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the State did not oppose bail.

“He was granted R60 000 bail with conditions.

“The conditions include that he must stay at his home address, must not leave the magisterial district of Wentworth, must hand over his passport, and has to sign at the local police station between 8am and 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” said Ntabazalila.

The case has been postponed to June 18 for a high court indictment, Ntabazalila said.

According to his charge sheet, Padayachee, during June 2018, participated in criminal activity in the Goodwood area by wilfully aiding and abetting criminal activity when he unlawfully sold or supplied firearms to individuals who were not allowed to possess firearms.

Padayachee is also accused of hindering police from exercising their duty when he “unlawfully and intentionally obstructed” police when they conducted an inspection at his firearms dealership in Wentworth, Durban.

It is also alleged that Padayachee rendered a security service while he was not registered to do so.

“Between August 18, 2017, and August 28, 2018, at or near Merebank, in the district of Wentworth, the accused rendered a security service as a training provider or instructor to a security service or prospective security provider, while he was not accredited and authorised to do so," the charge sheet reads.

His lengthy charge sheet also details how the accused gun smuggler had failed to keep accurate records of firearms in his possession; how he had failed to lock the firearms away safely in a prescribed safe; and had modified firearms without holding a gunsmith’s licence.