Gold coins ‘heist’: salesman in court
A CAR salesman has been accused of being the mastermind behind an elaborate plot to steal R2.2 million worth of Krugerrand coins belonging to his boss, as well a MINI Cooper, from his workplace.
Clever detective work by members of the SAPS Provincial Task Team led to the arrest of two suspects, who turned State witness and implicated oThongathi father of two Ramithlall Seusunker of staging the alleged robbery at Auto City three months ago.
Cellphone records allegedly revealed Seusunker and his co-accused communicated with each other before and after the robbery and that a firearm was not used as he had indicated.
Seusunker was arrested last Sunday and told the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, during his bail application, that he had lost his job, suffered from hypertension and diabetes and was his family’s sole provider.
In his affidavit, he said that due to his medical condition, he required constant monitoring and needed to find a job to support his wife and 21-year-old daughter.
The State proposed bail of R5 000 but magistrate Veera Alamchand set bail at R10 000.
“The court takes into consideration the number of counts the accused is alleged to have committed, which are indeed serious, and therefore has to consider the appropriate amount that meets the charges,” she said.
As part of his bail conditions, the 53-year-old, who faces charges of theft, motor vehicle theft and defeating the ends of justice, has to report to the oThongathi police station every Friday.
It is alleged that 22 of 200 Krugerrands were recovered from his home. The car has not been recovered. Seusunker was arrested after he opened a case of armed robbery. According to a source close to the probe, Seusunker had claimed he was at work when he was held up at gunpoint and robbed.
Two men had allegedly approached the dealership and enquired about the MINI Cooper.
Seusunker told police in his statement he had proceeded to the safe to remove the car keys when one of the alleged buyers, who was armed, confronted him.
The men allegedly demanded the car keys and a box that contained the 200 Krugerrands, which belonged to dealership owner Naeem Joosab.
Seusunker said the suspects locked him in the toilet before fleeing in the blue MINI.
According to the source, the two men, when arrested last Sunday, said they had conspired with Seusunker to stage the robbery.
Seusunker was arrested by Detective Warrant Officer Bob Pillay and his team later that day.
The two co-accused, Mzwandile Mthembu and Wonderboy Kweyama, who also appeared in court, were granted bail of R800 each. The trio are due back in court in January.