Johannesburg - Owen Basimane Serero, charged with several offences including robbery, pleaded not guilty in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday.
Dressed in a white floral shirt and a pair of blue jeans, he walked into the courtroom carrying a notebook and folded his hands as the charges against him were read.
“How do you plead?” asked magistrate Simon Radasi.
“Not guilty,” Serero responded.
The State alleges that on July 26, 2011 Serero pointed a firearm at Benjamin Khoza at Hartbeespoort Dam, North West, assaulted him, took his Toyota bakkie, and forcefully transported him in another motor vehicle to Muldelsdrift in Gauteng.
On May 5, 2012 he allegedly stole a Ford Focus in Sandton.
On November 7, 2012 he allegedly assaulted a man and robbed him of his BMW X5 in Roodepoort.
The State further charged that on January 21 last year he allegedly pointed a firearm at another man, assaulted him, and robbed him of his BMW X5.
Serero faces three charges of robbery, two of possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, three of motor vehicle theft, one of contravening traffic laws, one of interfering with an investigation, and one of escaping from custody.
In a separate matter he is accused, along with Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir, of plotting to kill investigators probing Krejcir.
Serero, Krejcir, Siboniso Miya, Zoduma Biyela, Jacob Nare, Nkanyiso Mafunda, and police sergeant Nandi Nkosi are accused of conspiring to kill Colonel Nkosana “Killer” Ximba and forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan.
Sapa