Jewellery theft accused granted bail

POLICE have recovered most of the R7 million worth of jewellery stolen from an uMhlanga jeweller last week.

This was revealed in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court yesterday when four people accused of the theft were granted bail.

One of the accused, Philani Makhaye, 31, of Pietermaritzburg, was out on R300 bail in a separate case when he was arrested.

Makhaye was granted bail of R800 and his co-accused Zohida Rahaman, 34, Mohamed Bilal Shaik, 30, and Imtiaz Hoosen, 25, were granted bail of R5 000 each.

The court heard the four intended to plead not guilty to charges of housebreaking with intent to steal, and theft.

The State had asked for bail to be set at R50 000 each.

Prosecutor Natasha Reddy said police had recovered R6m worth of the stolen jewellery.

“This is a serious schedule five offence as the value of the stolen items exceeds R500 000,” she said.

According to a police affidavit, Rahaman had turned off the CCTV cameras at Cherry Design Jewellery at Gateway shopping centre.

It is alleged that Rahaman, who worked in sales at the shop, had given copies of the keys to Shaik, Hoosen and Makhaye.

Reddy said the R50 000 bail asked for by the State was to ensure that the accused did not evade their trial.

Magistrate V Naidoo said that while the court understood the State’s concern, setting such a high amount would be tantamount to an injustice.

Hoosen’s attorney, Raneshan Naidoo, told the court that his client, who had been convicted of being in possession of drugs a month ago and had two assault charges pending against him, would not evade trial.

“He is not a flight risk, he has no travel documents and he has appeared for his previous and pending cases,” Naidoo said.

Rahaman’s attorney, Rajendra Kimchand Nathalal, said his client faced unemployment as she believed her arrest and being charged would lead to her employer firing her.

Rahaman is to report once a week at the Phoenix police station while Shaik, Hoosen and Makhaye are to report twice a week to a police station nearest to them.

The matter was adjourned to May 31 for further investigation.

PICTURE: GCINA NDWALANE IN THE DOCK: Two of the four accused – Imtiaz Hoosen, right, and Mohamed Bilal Shaik – who are facing charges of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft relating to a R7 million jewellery heist in Gateway last week.