Alleged ATM bombing syndicate remains silent as trial wraps up
Ten men on trial for the murder of a policeman and several ATM bombings, elected not to testify in their own defence.
|||Durban - In a surprise twist, 10 men on trial for the murder of a policeman and several ATM bombings elected not to testify in their defence at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday.
Nine of the men face four charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, five charges of contravening the Explosives Act and causing an explosion, five counts of malicious damage to property, eight counts of attempted murder, three counts of murder and charges of unlawful possession of explosives, machine rifles, prohibited firearms and ammunition.
They are: Thembela Ngubane, 27; Menziew Mdakane, 28; Sifiso Mdakane, 32; Sisfiso Khubeka, 28; Sibongiseni Msibi, 33; Sphelele Dubazane, 27; Muthikabani Buthelezi, 31; Mthenjwa Buthelezi, 27; and Lungisani Dladla, 32.
A tenth accused, Siphiwe Mabizela, 34, is charged with unlawful possession of firearms and a count of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Following the closure of the state’s marathon case, the men, who all pleaded not guilty to the charges, were expected to testify in their defence on Monday, but instead told the court that they had decided against it.
Judge Yvonne Mbatha then explained to the 10 men that the state had presented evidence that implicated them in the commission of the crimes, and if this evidence went unchallenged, they stood the chance of being convicted.
However, the men told the court that they stood by their decision not to testify or call any witnesses, and the case for the 10 was closed without any evidence being presented on their behalf.
The matter was then adjourned to Monday for the state and defence to submit heads of argument.
The state alleged that the men formed a syndicate with the sole purpose of targeting ATMs in KwaZulu-Natal.
The alleged crimes were all committed in the period from September 28, 2012 to January 13, 2013.
The men are charged with killing K9 unit constable Vidhur Jadoo, who died in a shoot-out in Howick on November 7, 2012.
They are charged with bombing ATMs in Howick, Merrivale, Nottingham Road and Greytown, and with the murders of Sizwe Gule and Patricia Nkosi in Utrecht in December 2012.
The suspects were arrested in Jozini on January 13, 2013, and allegedly found in possession of 119 AK-47 rounds, three AK-47s, a .45 ACP pistol, explosives and electric detonators.
They were also charged with the theft of a Mitsubishi Colt bakkie in Howick.
Charges include the attempted murders of Philani Zondi, Hlomani Zondi and Thulani Zondi, when an ATM at Howick Spar was bombed in October 2012.
They are charged with several other attempted murders and are alleged to have stolen more than R1 million in the ATM bomb heists.
Daily News