A heavily-armed police presence accompanied a Pietermaritzburg High Court sitting on Monday, which saw 10 alleged ATM bombers appear in court. The men are allegedly all part of a syndicate which has bombed ATMs throughout the province.
The suspects, some of whom are from Bergville and Ladysmith, carried out ATM bombings in KwaZulu-Natal between September 2012 and January last year. The trial, which was set to start on Monday, was adjourned until November 17 because some of the suspects still needed legal representation.
The suspects are: from Ladysmith – Siphiwe Mabizela (34); from Bergville – Sifiso Khubeka (28), Sibongeni Msibi (33), Thembela Ngubane (27), Menziwa Mdakane (28), Sifiso Mdakane (32), Sphelele Dubazane (27); from Mtubatuba – Muthikabani Buthelazi (31), Mthenjwa Buthelezi (27); and from Keates Drift – Lungisani Dladla (32).
All are in custody pending the outcome of the trial.
They face 31 charges, including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, causing explosions, malicious injury to property, attempted murder, theft, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
All in all, the ATM syndicate made off with in excess of R1.5 million. The gang may be linked to even more ATM bombings in the country.
