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Airport heist case postponed again

IN THE DOCK: Christopher Billings, left, and a family friend outside the Johannesburg high court yesterday. Billings is one of the accused in the OR Tambo International Airport robbery case in which about R100 million was stolen. Pic. Vathiswa Ruselo. 01/09/2008. © Sowetan.
IN THE DOCK: Christopher Billings, left, and a family friend outside the Johannesburg high court yesterday. Billings is one of the accused in the OR Tambo International Airport robbery case in which about R100 million was stolen. Pic. Vathiswa Ruselo. 01/09/2008. © Sowetan.

Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

Failure by the police to re-arrest two of the nine people standing trial in the OR Tambo International Airport R100 million cash heist case has forced the matter to be postponed to next year.

Tijuanda Uakotela, 37, and Msikize Magwaza, 35, are still on the run after they escaped.

The other accused appearing in the Johannesburg high court are Ananias Nepfumembe, 39, Christopher Billings, 39, Fox Sithole, 31, Thokozani Ziqubu, 35, Vusi Ndlangala, 50, Uakere Maunda, 35, and Vusi Khumalo, 33.

They are charged with robbery and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Initially, 15 people were arrested in connection with the country's biggest cash heist two years ago, but four of those - Rookaya Ebrahim, 37, Sean Soobramoney, Nazir Ishmael and Magdalena Moonsammy pleaded guilty.

They received suspended sentences and have turned state witnesses.

Two other accused - Themba Phutitsi, 34, and Tebogo Nhlapo, 31 - have since died. The trial was postponed to February 2 2009. Judge Mohamed Jajbhay warned that he was postponing the matter for the last time. He said it was in the interests of the accused that the matter be completed soon.

Khumalo's lawyer handed in a doctor's certificate explaining why his client was missing from two previous court proceedings. Nepfumembe, Sithole and Maunda are in custody and others are out on bail.

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