Durban — Four men arrested following a shootout with police and charged with attempted murder in relation to three warrant officers, were granted bail in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court.
The men, who were released on R2 000 bail each, are alleged to have been involved in the shootout following a kidnapping and ransom sting operation. They are yet to be charged in regard to the kidnapping.
Siphesihle Hlongwane, Sithabiso Shandu, Siphamandla Sithole, and Mondli Gumede are charged with attempted murder and being found in possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence.
They have indicated that their intended plea was that of not guilty.
According to the State thus far, the men’s charges stemmed from the manner in which they were arrested during a sting operation in relation to a kidnapping.
It is alleged a kidnapping case was opened and contact had been made with the family for a ransom of R350 000.
A task team was formed to trace the suspects and a sting operation was set up for the drop – off a ransom of R40000 on Dumisani Makhaye Highway.
According to the State, three warrant officers were, carrying a bag meant to have money to the scene.
The State alleges the team noticed a Toyota Yaris parked at the arranged meeting spot after one of the suspects contacted the victim’s relative asking for the money. The occupants of the vehicle then began shooting at the officers.
When police returned fire, two of the suspects were hit.
It is alleged that a revolver pistol was found in the car, as well one round of live ammunition.
In court on Friday, where the four were granted bail through an affidavit read out by the State, the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Musa Ngcamu said witnesses in the case were all officers from Durban Central.
As the State was not opposed to the men being granted bail, Ngcamu explained that the police witnesses lived far away from the district of Inanda and would not be intimidated by the accused.
He said the men’s arrest followed the alleged kidnapping of a foreign national, in which kidnappers demanded a ransom of R350 000 and Inanda case.
Ngcamu said that Hlongwane, 22, was to be linked with the kidnapping while the cellphones of Shandu, 25, Sithole, 25, and Gumede, 24, were taken to link the accused to the alleged kidnapping.
Representing all four men in their bid to be released on bail, defence attorney S Dwili submitted sworn affidavits from the men outlining their personal circumstances to be considered as exceptional circumstances permitting their release on bail.
The court heard how Hlongwane, a Rica agent, had a 2-year-old son who he was supporting financially, Shandu was an e-hailing driver with two children, Sithole a Rica agent with four children and Gumede was also a Rica agent with no children.
“Inside prison, I’m being abused and threatened to join gangs in order to survive,” said Hlongwane.
The four were granted bail on condition that they sign in once a week at their nearest police station.
The matter was adjourned to December for further investigation.
Daily News