Heist accused in the dock

HIDDEN: R1M LINKED TO AIRPORT ROBBERY UNDER WASHING MACHINE

Judgment will be handed down tomorrow in Mtanzi’s application.

The state in the case of one of the men accused of being involved in the heist at the OR Tambo International Airport yesterday told the court they would submit an affidavit from the South African Revenue Service to support their denial of his bail application.

Prince Dube, 43, began his bail application last week, and told the court that he earned R400 000 as a stand exhibitionist. The court heard that R1 million that was linked to the heist was found under a washing machine at his girlfriend’s residence.

Advocate Oscar Machevele, for Dube, submitted an affidavit to the court in response to the affidavit that was submitted by the investigating officer.

Dube said that the investigating officer failed to identify him on the footage of the heist. He also argued that there was no proof provided by the state that he was illegally in South Africa. Dube submitted a driving licence, an identity book copy and a company registration document for his business.

Later the bail application of Philokhuhle Mtanzi resumed, with his defence advocate Welcome Ndlovu reading his affidavit to the court. Mtanzi said that he was originally from Pietermaritzburg and resided in Naturena in the south of Johannesburg and had two children who were in a private school.

He said that he had assets valued at R100 000, was self employed and owned four meter taxis which generated R20 000 a month before Uber entered the industry. Mtanzi admitted to having a previous theft conviction with a five-year suspended sentence.

Mtanzi, 30, faces charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances for his alleged involvement in what’s considered one of South Africa’s biggest heists.

He said that he would plead not guilty and said the state’s case was weak. Mtanzi argued that he was not found with money nor ammunition that was used in the alleged heist. He said there was nothing linking him to the crime and that he never admitted to being involved as suggested in the investigating officer’s affidavit.

He said that he would be able to raise R5 000 for bail.

Mtanzi’s matter was postponed for judgment tomorrow. Court adjourned until today for the state to present new evidence against Dube. – ANA