State bid to deny heist suspect bail

IN THE case of one of the men accused of being involved in the R20 million heist at the OR Tambo International Airport, the State told the court yesterday that they would submit an affidavit from Sars 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, however, that R1 million linked to the heist by Standard Bank 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 investigating officer’s affidavit.

Dube said the investigating officer failed to identify him on the footage of the heist.

He also argued there was no proof provided by the State to back up allegations that he was illegally in South Africa. Dube submitted a driver’s 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 he was originally from Pietermaritzburg. He lived in Johannesburg and had two children at a private school.

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

Mtanzi, 30, faces charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances for his alleged involvement in the heist.

He said he would plead not guilty and said the State’s case was weak. Mtanzi argued that he was not found with money or ammunition used in the alleged heist, and there was nothing linking him to the crime. He would be able to raise R5 000 for bail. Mtanzi said he was not emotionally equipped to be incarcerated.

Prosecutor Jacob Serepo then read an affidavit from investigating officer Colonel Mabina Mahlangu which stated that Mtanzi said he was briefed about the robbery and contributed R1 000 towards implementing the crime.

Mahlangu said Mtanzi was allegedly found with the names and numbers of the other suspects when he was arrested, and failed to alert the police about what he had heard would be happening.

Mtanzi’s matter was postponed for judgement to tomorrow. Court adjourned to today for the State to reveal new evidence against Dube. – ANA