THE bail application for one of the suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping of pupils from a school in the Pinetown area did not proceed on Thursday, October 15, after their attorney withdrew from representing him in court.

After the attorney’s withdrawal, Sabelo Mchunu (36), one of the suspects, told the presiding officer at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court that he will now make use of the services of Legal Aid.

Mchunu and his co-accused, Thabiso Goldstone (29), are due back in court on November 20 after the matter stood down for further investigations.

The State Prosecutor told the magistrate that the investigating officer has said that only the cellphone records are outstanding with regards to the investigation.

Also read: Bail application date set for suspected Pinetown kidnappers

The charges faced by the pair include extortion and attempted extortion, with the allegation being that they had demanded ransoms ranging from R10 000 to R12 000 for the victims they had allegedly kidnapped.

One of the kidnapping incidents allegedly took place on May 2 on Bamboo Lane in Pinetown where the suspects allegedly attempted to extort R6000 for the release of the victim.

Mchunu and Goldstone were arrested in May and face 12 counts linked to the alleged kidnapping of two learners. They also face charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

It is alleged that the suspects had either used a firearm or knife to rob victims, including school pupils, of cellphones.

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