The seven suspects accused of kidnapping and assaulting local businessman, Shamim Haowladar, were back in the Newcastle District Court on November 26 for their official bail applications.

Sultan Masum (accused 1), Mahfuz Rahaman (accused 2), Saif Cassim (accused 3), Rouget Coleridge Glyne (accused 4), Musawenkosi Madonsela (accused 6) and Thami Mdlalose (accused 7) all face charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

They allegedly lured Haowladar to a business premises, ambushed him, and held him hostage inside a shop while demanding a large sum of money.

Thasveer Maharaj (accused 5), is already out on bail following a hearing on October 15.

Allen Kelly argued for bail for Masum and Rahaman before Magistrate Buhlebakhe Ngubane.

Opposing bail on behalf of the state, investigating officer Sergeant Wellington Khanyile told the court that both Masum and Rahaman posed a flight risk, despite having surrendered their passports to the Newcastle police.

“Both are of Bangladesh nationality, and in South Africa, we have challenges with border control. I believe the suspects would still be able to flee the country and evade trial without their passports,” Khanyile said.

He added that the complainant and witnesses were known to the accused, increasing the likelihood of intimidation, interference with the investigation, or tampering with outstanding evidence.

Khanyile produced evidence that Masum had already attempted to intimidate Haowladar by sending his father to persuade him to withdraw the case and allegedly used WhatsApp messages to threaten him.

When asked how Masum managed to send threatening messages while in custody and supposedly without access to a cellphone, Khanyile said he had reported the matter to prison authorities after being shown the messages.

Authorities raided Masum’s cell where a cellphone was found with the number matching the one used to send the threats.

Khanyile put it to the court that Masum was known within the Bangladesh community for drug use, disruptive behaviour, and violent criminal activity.

More than 200 Bangladeshi residents from Newcastle, Madadeni, Osizweni, Dannhauser, and Utrecht have since signed a petition urging the court to deny him bail, citing fears for their safety.

The accused’s’ court appearances have sparked peaceful protests where calls were made for the all seven suspects to be kept in custody.

Khanyile said accused 2, Rahaman, is ‘equally feared and widely regarded as Masum’s ‘right-hand man’.

The bail hearing was postponed to December 9, when accused 3, 4, 6 and 7 are expected to present their bail applications.

Readers can look out for next week’s Newcastle Advertiser for further details on the court proceedings.

A recount of what happened

Haowladar was robbed at gunpoint and held hostage at a business premises in Terminus Street, Taxi City, on the evening of 5 October.

Imraan Ghafoor of the Newcastle Crime Fighter’s Task Team said the 7 accused had lured the businessman to the premises under the pretenses of buying cellphones, before ambushing him, robbing him and then trying to extort him for more money.

“He had recently sold his business in Riverside Industrial, and the suspects were aware that he was in possession of a substantial amount of money,” explained Ghafoor.

Although the suspects forced him to hand over an amount of R70K, they continued to assault him and fired blank shots in an attempt to extort a further amount of R2 million.

Ghafoor activated the Crime Fighter’s Task Team, the South African Police Service Stabilised Unit, Ithemba Security’s Tracing Unit, and Barnard’s Security.

Officers converged on the premises and apprehended seven suspects, including the shop owner who was alleged to be the mastermind behind the plot.

The victim sustained moderate head injuries and was treated on scene by Trivs Medical Services before being transported to the hospital for further care.

Law enforcement recovered two firearms believed to have been used during the incident. However, the money has not yet been recovered.

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