Ten men, part of an alleged syndicate that orchestrated ATM bombings and robberies throughout KwaZulu-Natal, have been denied bail.
|||Pietermaritzburg - Ten men, part of an alleged syndicate that orchestrated ATM bombings and robberies throughout KwaZulu-Natal, were denied bail on Monday.
The ATM bombings included incidents in Howick, where dog unit member Constable Vidhur Jadhoo was ambushed and gunned down in November last year, and Greytown, where R500 000 was stolen from two ATMs in January this year.
Pietermaritzburg Regional Court Magistrate Kevin Leat said no compelling circumstances had been presented by the accused to justify their release on bail, while the State’s case, when finalised, was promising of a conviction.
The men, Thembela Ngubane, Menziwa Mlakuze, Sifiso Malakane, Sifiso Khubeka, Sibusiso Msibi, Sphelele Dubazane, all from Bergville; Siphiwe Masuku of Ladysmith, Muthikabani Buthelezi, Mthenjwa Buthelezi and Lungisani Dladla, all from Mtubatuba, are charged with four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, five counts of contravening the Explosives Act, five counts of malicious damage to property, eight counts of attempted murder, three counts of murder and charges of unlawful possession of explosives, automatic rifles, prohibited firearms and ammunition.
An eleventh accused, Siphiwe Mabizela, 34, is charged with unlawful possession of firearms and a count of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The ATM bombings relate to incidents in Howick, Merrivale, Nottingham Road and Greytown, and the murders of Sizwe Gule and Patricia Nkosi in Utrecht on December 5, 2012.
The suspects were arrested in Jozini on January 13, travelling in a mini-bus, ostensibly en route to a funeral.
Magistrate Leat said the men had not volunteered further information as to whose funeral they were attending and how they were connected.
Appearing amid a heavy police presence and in leg shackles, the accused showed no emotion when they were denied bail. Instead they put their heads down and turned to look at each other.
Magistrate Leat said he was “thoroughly satisfied” that the accused had presented no exceptional circumstances that justified them being released on bail.
The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Willem de Wet, said in his evidence that the State had DNA evidence placing Thembele at the scene of the Greytown ATM bombing, as he was arrested at a hospital recovering from an injury to his arm, while blood found at the scene and in the getaway car linked positively to him.
De Wet also said the State had cellphone records that showed the accused were in constant contact with each other around the times each robbery was committed.
He added that releasing the accused on bail would send the wrong message to society as statistics showed that from July 2007, 20 people were killed and 65 wounded by ATM bombers countrywide.
De Wet said the statistics from the South African Bank Risk Information Centre translated to 11 policemen, seven security officers, and two civilians killed as a result of ATM bombings since July 2007. In addition, 38 policemen, 12 security officers and 15 civilians were injured in ATM bombings over the same period.
It emerged that the alleged syndicate would find a safe house near the scene of the intended crime where they could meet and prepare explosives and firearms.
They would then don balaclavas and gloves and arm themselves before setting out in an open bakkie, usually stolen. Explosives were set with a detonator to save time at the target, and the syndicate generally swooped on two or three ATMs near each other.
After retrieving the cash, the syndicate would then go back to the safe house, share the spoils and return to Gauteng in vehicles that were not stolen.
The men were expected to appear in the Regional Court again on July 26 for indictment to be served on them and a High Court trial date.
Daily News