Publications
- The 30-year-old Mbuso Moloi is seen in a video that went viral during the July 2021 riots.
- Moloi appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
- The case was adjourned to 30 May.
Mbuso Moloi pleaded guilty to theft and contravention of the Road Traffic Management Act during the July 2021 unrest which had swept across Durban and Johannesburg.
Moloi, 30, is the Mercedes-Benz driver captured on video footage carrying a basket from a Woolworth's outlet in Glenwood, Durban. The video went viral.
A smartly-dressed Moloi appeared in the Durban's Magistrate's Court on Wednesday where the matter was postponed to 31 May for possible sentencing.
In an affidavit read out in court by his lawyer Willie Lombard, Moloi admitted to "operating a motor vehicle without a corresponding number plate".
He said: "I, at the time, knew that my actions were wrongful and unlawful and amount to a criminal offence."
In his plea, Moloi told the court that he acted "impulsively", but denied that he incited others to "cause revolt".
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The State confirmed that it had withdrawn 16 other charges against Moloi, including fraud and public violence.
The State and the defence will also be expected to make submissions before sentence is delivered.
The vehicle used during the commission of the crime was seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit last year.
It was valued at R500 000 at the time.
