/ 3 April 2000

HEIST KINGPIN PLEADS NOT GUILTY

ALLEGED heist kingpin Collin Chauke and three co-accused have pleaded not guilty in the Pretoria regional court to two charges of armed robbery with aggravating circumstances and 6 charges of kidnapping. Chauke, Eli Luka Yende, Patrick Schlongwane and Mafika Mahlangu are standing trial in connection with the 1997 R12,6 million SBV Arcadia heist in Pretoria. Yende, who was shot duting a botched escape from the Pretoria High Court in February, sat through the proceedings. He is one of the accused in the Bronkhorstspruit heist. Chauke’s handcuffs were removed shortly befor the proceedings, as he complained they were too tight and were chafing him. He wore an electronic stun belt during the court appearance.