Five men accused of robbing the Sibaya Casino appeared before the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, the National Prosecuting Authority said.
“Three men appeared before court today. They are due to appear in court again on October 6,” said KwaZulu-Natal NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson.
Ramkisson said the two other men connected to the robbery appeared before the court on Wednesday and were also remanded for October 6.
“All five of them will appear on the same day,” said Ramkisson.
The three men were arrested in Johannesburg on Tuesday and the two others were arrested on Monday.
In August a man was shot and wounded during a robbery at Sibaya Casino.
Police said six armed men entered the casino through the main entrance around 9.15pm.
The men held up staff in the cash room of the venue and walked out of the main entrance with an undisclosed amount in cash. Three getaway cars were waiting for them in the parking lot.
Whilst in the midst of fleeing, the men fired shots at a patron who was in his car. The man suffered gunshot wounds to his face and stomach. The robbers then sped off in convoy.
Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mdunge said a sixth man was also arrested in Johannesburg on Wednesday and was due to appear in court on Friday.
Mdunge said four of the men arrested were Zimbabwean nationals, one a Swazi national and one a South African.
“The syndicate had robbed casinos in Durban, Bloemfontein and Gauteng. Criminal offences committed ranged from robbery in casinos and banks. Two years ago they also allegedly escaped from custody,” said Mdunge.
He said the men were part of a notorious robbery gang which police followed to Johannesburg. - Sapa