MORE than 50 witnesses, including children, are giving testimony in a long-running trial at the Richards Bay District Court that sees an accused facing 53 serious counts.
Bongumusa Shabalala (36), with the aid of accomplices, allegedly went on an armed robbery spree in eSikhaleni between March and June 2013, targeting luxury vehicles.
His alleged modus operandi was to send gang members into the house to rob and hold occupants hostage while accomplices made off with the 4×4 and SUV vehicles.
Some occupants were taken to other locations and held there for hours. In one such incident, the victims were a couple with a small baby.
All were relieved of their cell phones and alarm remotes and once the perpetrators were safely out of range with the stolen vehicles, a call was made and the victims were released.
Surprisingly, despite firearms being used in every incident, no victims were shot or physically harmed.
No stolen property was ever recovered.
Shabalala, whose benign looks belie the seriousness of the armed robberies, could serve 15 years in jail on each count, if convicted.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include vehicle theft, armed robbery, kidnapping and illegal use of stolen bank cards.
The case is being heard this week before Magistrate Mrs Kay Moodley. Prosecutor Sharon Bux is acting for the State.
The matter has been in court regularly since 18 June 2016 and still has a long way to go before finalisation.
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