Durban - Four alleged members of the so-called “Doorbell Gang”, who are said to have stolen goods and cash worth millions of rands have been granted bail.
John Williams, 43, Mlindelwa Dlamini, 43, Lorraine Williams, 30, and Ramitha Dhera, 44, were each granted bail of R2 000 at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. A fifth accused, Thokozani Khanyile, 29, abandoned his bail application because of the strength of the state’s case against him.
The state alleges that the five accused formed a syndicate to rob houses in the greater Pietermaritzburg area.
One of their alleged victims was DA member of Parliament Mergen Chetty, who was previously a councillor in Pietermaritzburg.
They are alleged to have stolen cash and valuables amounting to R1 million from Chetty’s home in Raisethorpe on April 6.
According to the charge sheet, they stole hundreds of thousands of rands in foreign currency, gold and diamond jewellery, firearm, TV set and laptop. Although more charges were expected to be added, the accused face two of intent to steal and theft and one of being in possession of stolen property.
One charge related to the theft at Chetty’s home and the other a day earlier in Allandale when the suspects allegedly broke into Nasham Singh’s house. They stole his safe, jewellery, TV sets, a PlayStation, laptops and watches. The items were valued at about R150 000.
They got the name “Doorbell Gang” because they would ring a door bell and if nobody responded, they would break in.
Daily News