R24m heist suspects in court

PLEAS, BAIL APPLICATIONS GET UNDER WAY FOR TWO OF SEVEN MEN ACCUSED

The Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court yesterday heard, during the bail application of two men allegedly linked to the recent heist at OR Tambo International Airport, that one of the suspects earns R400 000 a month as a stand exhibitionist.

Prince Dube, 35, and Thando Sonqishe, 39, are part of a gang of seven men suspected of carrying out one of South Africa’s biggest heists.

Read in court by Dube’s attorney, Oscar Machevele, the suspect’s affidavit suggested he believed the state had no objective facts that he committed the robbery.

Dube said he was traditionally married with two children and lived in Norkem Park, Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg.

He said his job as a stand exhibitionist paid him R400 000 per month and that he would be able to pay R80 000 for bail.

Earlier, prosecutor Pieter Erasmus told the court the state was ready to proceed with the bail application.

He added that robbery with aggravating circumstances was considered a schedule six offence.

The gang, allegedly in a marked police vehicle, stole R24 million in foreign currency from a South African Airways plane after it landed on March 7.

The defence lawyers of both men argued they disputed the state charging Dube and Sonqishe with armed robbery as they were not caught with any weapons.

Erasmus said the state would only disclose whether they would be charged as the main accused, participants or accessories at a later stage.

“Even if they are charged at a later stage as accessories, it will be argued the main perpetrators used fire arms.”

The court then heard Sonqishe’s affidavit, read by his legal representative, Victory Nkwashe, stating his denial of involvement in the heist.

Sonqishe said he was married with two children, was self-employed and that his business supplied construction vehicles.

Sonqishe told court he earned R30 000 per month and could afford R10 000 bail.

He added that he was the owner of a number of vehicles, including a Toyota Hilux, a 2014 Lamborghini Gallardo valued at R600 000 and resided in Blue Hills, Centurion, in a house worth R3 million.

Dube and Sonqishe’s co-accused are expected to make their bail applications today. – ANA