Airport heist accused not short of funds

A SUSPECT in the multimillion-rand OR Tambo Airport cash heist shocked the court yesterday when he revealed that he earned R400 000 a month.

Another jaw-dropping revelation was that a second accused owns a Lamborghini Gallardo‚ Toyota Hilux and a Hyundai i20 as well as a home valued at about R3-million in Blue Valley Golf Estate, but declared his monthly income as R30 000.

This emerged during a formal bail application in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court for two of the eight men arrested in connection with the crime.

The court was also told that police were investigating claims that one of the suspects had received death threats for cooperating with police.

In his affidavit‚ accused Prince Dube said his exhibition stalls business generated R400 000 a month and he could afford R30 000 bail.

Meanwhile‚ his co-accused, Thando Sonqishe‚ the man who appeared on social media with a multimillion-rand Lamborghini‚ said that if he stayed in jail he would contract diseases, given the poor state of prison facilities.

Sonqishe’s lawyer, Victor Nkwashu, said his client could also afford R30 000 bail.

“My client was embarrassed by the manner in which the police handled his arrest and publicised it in the media,” Nkwashu said.

“And if he continues [to stay] in prison, his transport business will suffer and his family will be left destitute.”

Opposing bail for the two men, the state read out an affidavit by the investigating officer‚ Colonel Samuel Mhlangu of the Hawks‚ which revealed that either Dube or Sonqishe had received death threats.

The state could not reveal which one of the men had made these claims‚ but confirmed they were being investigated.

The court is expected to hear arguments by the defence today, while formal bail applications will begin for the remaining four accused.