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Heavy guard for 'terror gang'
29/11/2006 16:44 - (SA)
Pietermaritzburg - Four members of a gang that allegedly murdered five people and pulled off nine aggravated robberies in a 13-month reign of terror pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in Pietermaritzburg High Court to 51 charges.
Most of the crimes were perpetrated in the Muden, Pomeroy, Tugela Ferry, Greytown and Kranskop areas in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
However, the four were arrested near Standerton, Mpumalanga, where they allegedly were found in possession of two illegal handguns.
There was a strong police contingent present because three of them and a fifth co-accused, who is at large, had overpowered an orderly at an earlier hearing in Pietermaritzburg magistrate's court.
Told to 'sleep' on the floor
Two were re-arrested in the court building after it was sealed off, a third was caught some time later.
Bongani Ndlovu, 23, of Tugela Ferry is still on the run.
One armed robbery left a Greytown take-away operator shaking and unable to speak, said the first State witness, Lutchmee Perumal.
She said two armed men had entered a Greytown takeaway, one vaulted a counter, another a fridge and waved guns and ordered her and the owner, Neela Gounden.
They were told to "sleep" on their stomachs on the floor while they grabbed R9 000 cash, spilling coins.
Perumal said she crawled to an alarm button and pressed it to call a security company.
The accused are Sibusiso Ngubane, 26, Mduduzi Ngubane, 18, Nathi Mchunu, 23, and Mzihayise Ngubane, 31. All are from Tugela Ferry.
They face three charges of kidnapping, 17 of attempted kidnapping as well as theft and illegal firearm charges.
Allegedly formed syndicate
The State alleged that they and others conspired to form a syndicate to commit robberies. Their aim was to rob people of cash, cellphones and other valuables, which they could sell.
The guilt of those who were not present at the crime scene or did not take part in the crimes is to be imputed by the doctrine of common purpose.
The case continues on Thursday.
- SAPA
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