Accused in Sandra Munsamy abduction plead not guilty

Munsamy was forced off Stapleton Road in Pinetown in May 2019 and bundled into another car at gunpoint.

She was found six months later at a house in Emalahleni in Mpumalanga. 

The court previously heard a $10 million ransom was demanded from her family.

The four accused pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and attempted extortion, among others.

In an explanation of his plea, read out by his attorney, accused number one, Lucas Ndlovu claimed that he was only involved under duress.

Ndlovu said he had known accused number two, Dumisani Radebe for many years.

He claimed Radebe phoned in October 2019, telling him he had found him a job for him in eSwatini.

He said he got into a taxi the next day and travelled to Emalahleni, where he met up with Radebe, who took him to a property.

He told tje court he was told there was an Indian woman in the house and was offered R10 000 to guard her for up to four weeks.

Ndlovu said Radebe admitted to him he knew he would not have come if he had told him over the phone what he wanted him to do.

He claimed he asked to leave, but Radebe told him his boss was dangerous and could kill him and his family.

At that point, he realised that their lives were in danger. He said he had no choice but to assist them under duress.

The attorneys for the three other accused said their clients deny the allegations against them and reserve the right to make admissions during the trial.