The man believed to be the kingpin of the notorious ”Sandton Knife Gang” has claimed he burgled the home of Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, The Star newspaper reported on Friday.
According to the report, William Lehasa told two women that he had grown tired of petty crime and wanted to a ”high-profile job”.
The deputy president’s home in Morningside was burgled in August last year.
Lehasa and three other men were reportedly arrested for the crime but charges against them were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Lehasa was re-arrested in Thembisa on Monday after he escaped from police custody during a bail application in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court last week.
According to reports, moments after six alleged members of the gang were denied bail, all the suspects made their break for freedom through a packed courtroom and past at least two court orderlies.
Gigimane Quvane — one of five Alexandra brothers who allegedly belong to the gang — was caught at the court’s gate and re-arrested.
Quvane’s brothers, Dumisane and Siphelele, were arrested on Thursday in a police sting operation. The pair were on their way to a second hide-out in Naturena, near Soweto, when Johannesburg police received a tip off.
The gang reportedly robbed and terrorised residents of upmarket townhouse complexes for months.
The Quvanes will be charged in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Friday with 18 counts of house robbery and attempting to escape from police custody. – Sapa