Durban - Heavily-armed police were on guard on Monday when the men charged with the murder of a policeman and several ATM bombings appeared in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
Nine of the men face four charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, five charges of contravening the Explosives Act and causing an explosion, five counts of malicious damage to property, eight counts of attempted murder, three counts of murder and charges of unlawful possession of explosives, machine rifles, prohibited firearms and ammunition.
They are Thembela Ngubane, 27, Menziew Mdakane, 28, Sifiso Mdakane, 32, Sisfiso Khubeka, 28, Sibongiseni Msibi, 33, Sphelele Dubazane, 27, Muthikabani Buthelezi, 31, Mthenjwa Buthelezi 27, and Lungisani Dladla, 32.
A tenth accused, Siphiwe Mabizela, 34, is charged with unlawful possession of fire-arms and a count of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
His trial will be separated from his nine co-accused.
Prosecutor Dorian Paver confirmed before Judge Jacqueline Henriques that the trial was scheduled to run from February 1 to April 1 next year.
He submitted that it was an ongoing concern that the start of the trial had to be continually delayed due to the accused “chopping and changing their legal counsel”.
Menziew Mdakane told the court on Monday that he had paid a private attorney R105 000 to represent him, but the attorney refused to speak to him.
Judge Henriques ordered that all accused have their legal counsel in order before February, so that the trial may begin without any further delays. Most of the accused have applied for legal aid.
The indictment states the men formed a syndicate with the sole purpose of targeting ATMs in KwaZulu-Natal.
The alleged crimes were all committed from September 28, 2012 to January 13, 2013.
The men are charged with killing K9 unit constable Vidhur Jadoo, who died in a shoot-out in Howick on November 7, 2012.
They are charged with bombing ATMs in Howick, Merrivale, Nottingham Road and Greytown, and with the murders of Sizwe Gule and Patricia Nkosi in Utrecht in December 2012.
The suspects were arrested in Jozini on January 13, 2013, and allegedly found in possession of 119 AK-47 rounds, three AK-47s, a .45 ACP pistol, explosives and electric detonators.
They were also charged with the theft of a Mitsubishi Colt bakkie in Howick.
Charges include the attempted murders of Philani Zondi, Hlomani Zondi and Thulani Zondi when an ATM at Howick Spar was bombed in October 2012.
They are charged with several other attempted murders and are alleged to have stolen more than R1 million in the ATM bomb heists.
The case has been adjourned for the accused to secure legal representation.
All the suspects remain in custody.
Daily News
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