/ 29 June 2006

Airport-heist case postponed

Seven men accused of taking part in the multi-million rand heist at Johannesburg International airport in March this year will continue their bail applications on Monday.

Shaid Rudolf (43) of Eersterus, Rashdee Rudolf (42) of Cape Town, a Namibian, Uakareraije Maundu (36) and his compatriot Uakotokia Tjindind (37), Tebogo Nhlapo (31) of Boksburg, Fox Sithole (31) of Vosloorus and Christopher Billings (40) appeared before Magistrate Prince Manyathi at the Kempton Park Regional Court on Thursday.

They allegedly formed part of a gang that boarded a South African Airways plane and made off with R72-million in foreign currency.

The other suspects in the case will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on July 12.

They are Airports Company South Africa employees Sean Soobramoney (32) Nazir Ismail (38) and Rookaya Ebrahim (35).

Soobramoney is out on R75 000 bail, Ismail on R40 000 and Ebrahim on R20 000.

Their initial bail applications were turned down by the Kempton Park Regional Court. The Johannesburg High court in April granted them bail following an appeal.

The trio, together with colleague Magdallena Moonsamy, face charges of conspiracy to commit robbery with Mzikise Maqwaza (24), Vusimuzi Ichumelo (32), Themba Phutsitsi, Annanius Nepfumbe (38) and Danisa Nee Tsuma (32).

Another alleged accused, Bhekithembo Khumalo (34) died of wounds he sustained when he was shot during his arrest. — Sapa