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Kelvin Ludidi was linked to more than 60 robberies. Photo: Handout/Supplied
Kelvin Ludidi, the kingpin of the notorious Rolex gang that plagued Joburg’s wealthy northern suburbs, is dead.
The leader of the gang that stole expensive watches was shot and killed in a shootout with police officers last week.
Provincial police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed on Monday that Ludidi had been killed in Crowthorne, Midrand, on Thursday.
He and an unidentified accomplice were attempting to flee from the police when Ludidi was shot. His accomplice managed to escape.
Police needed to inform Ludidi’s family before publicly confirming his death.
Ludidi, considered one of the country’s most dangerous criminals, had several run-ins with the law in recent years.
In November 2009, police arrested him after a high-speed chase through the Sandton CBD. Ludidi was shot in an arm during the chase.
Between 1995 and 2009, Ludidi was granted bail 16 times.
He was currently out on R10 000 bail for an armed robbery in 2007 that was committed after a gang had followed a couple from the Sandton City mall. Ludidi was due in court on February 28 in connection with the matter, said Mogale.
According to police sources, Ludidi was linked to at least 60 cases of violent robberies – many committed in driveways in the northern suburbs.
The Rolex gang became known for sophisticated attacks on their victims.
They would target people wearing expensive jewellery, follow them home, often blocking the victim’s driveway, before stealing jewellery, watches and money.
Ludidi was also linked to a robbery in Randburg in November during which a gang of eight men robbed a man of cigarettes worth R250 000.
Some high-profile victims of the gang include Discovery Holdings chief executive Adrian Gore, Judy Sexwale (the wife of Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale), Bryanston architect Raymond Duxbury, celebrity divorce lawyer Billy Gundelfinger, and businesswoman Ladragh Cozens and her husband Michael Gunko.
The police said that last Thursday, officers had noticed two men in a white Ford Bantam who seemed to be acting suspiciously.
When officers approached the car, the occupants fired at them before speeding away.
Police gave chase and an exchange of fire took place.
An AK-47 was one of two rifles found in the vehicle.
Constable Matome Tlamela of the Midrand Community Police Forum said police had also recovered more than R10 000 in cash, as well as balaclavas, from the vehicle.
Ludidi had been positively linked to possession of an unlicensed firearm, armed robbery, possession of stolen property and attempted murder in several cases in Mondeor, Bramley, Randburg and Sandton, said Mogale. - The Star
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THANDUXOLO, wrote
hey it seem as if this guy is being on the industry for long..things that he didi are to much and unforgiable
Anonymous, wrote
@ PETER - Contrary to your belief about the police - they have actually done their job quite well here (or this guy was very brazen to the point of stupidity). They caught him 16 times. He was realeased by the justice system. Makes you wonder how it would be to be in those very same policemans shoes. And why they are so frustrated to certain points of breakage. What a pity!!
PETER, wrote
good riddance to this piece of sh#t - but why did it have to take so many arrests and bail appearances, 16!! the police are useless - i caught our hijacker and the cops didnt turn up for over 1.5 hrs! they only came when i threatened to shoot the dirtbag. Since then they havent done jacksh%t to nail the guy..
Boesman DU Toit, wrote
Rico, wrote
Hendrik, wrote
How does someone like this EVER get bail? And then, not once, but 16 times??? Unbelievable... And then we wonder why it does not stop...
Anonymous, wrote
Henry S, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
He was granted bail 16 times meaning he committed 16 crimes. What about those 16 victims? Shouldn't they be able to sue the Minister of Justice?
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
I smell a Rat ........ This crminal dies, after Beyleved is fingured as a recipient of a gift from these guys!!
Anonymous, wrote
reekus, wrote
AK 47??? ANC???? Still some outstanding weapons floating about? serial numbers? check your inventory on your CD disks from 1992. Is this one of them??
Anonymous, wrote
Good Riddance!!! As on of his lower profile targets, I am delighted that he is gone. Why was he released on bail so many times? He robbed me of far more than a watch.
Dztrbd, wrote
WTF!!?? All these accusations, allegations, charges - and the f***er was still running around free as a bird until his dying day!? Typical! Good riddance to Bad Rubbish. Now if only our justice system could jack the f*** up....
Anonymous, wrote
MalateZinde, wrote
Nobody likes crime, it has no colour, everybody is a victim in Mzansi. Prosecutors & Judges do not take instructions from ANC. Racist comments won't get u anywhere, by the way if u're a racist it means u're follow Satan!!
B, wrote
considered one of the country’s most dangerous criminals.But he gets bail 16 times,NICE! I think i will also become a criminal the odds sound very good.
Psy, wrote
Ralph, wrote
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