Durban - Five alleged members of the so-called “Doorbell Gang”, who are said to have stolen goods and cash worth millions of rands, appeared briefly in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
One of their alleged victims was DA member of Parliament Mergen Chetty, who was previously a councillor in Pietermaritzburg.
Thokozani Khanyile, 29, John Williams, 43, Mlindelwa Dlamini, 43, Lorraine Williams, 30, and Ramitha Dhera, 44, are alleged to have stolen cash and valuables amounting to R1 million from Chetty’s home in Old Greytown Road on April 6.
According to the charge sheet, they stole$2 000 (R24 000), e2 000 (R24 000), £1 000 (R18 000), $1 000 Canadian (R9 600) and R50 000, a firearm, two Guess watches, a gold and diamond chain, a Krugerrand, a television set and a laptop.
Although more charges will be added, at present the accused face two of intent to steal and theft and one of being in possession of stolen property.
One charge was in relation to the theft at Chetty’s home and the other a day earlier in Allandale when they allegedly broke into Nasham Singh’s house.
They stole his safe, jewellery, television sets, a PlayStation, laptops and watches. The items were valued at about R150 000.
The five were arrested in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
They got the name “Doorbell Gang” because they would ring the doorbell. If nobody responded, they broke in.
The Mercury