Detectives consulting FBI after ammunition, diamonds found in Durban raid
The Durban Magistrate’s Court has heard that local detectives are in contact with the FBI in connection with the arrests of five men in Mayville, Durban.
The men were allegedly found in possession of over 6 000 rounds of ammunition and suspected stolen diamonds and jewellery.
It’s also emerged in court that two of the accused were among 12 previously arrested in October 2018 in connection with the fatal knife attack at a Verulam Mosque.
The group of 12 suspects were also allegedly behind several bomb scares in and around Durban, two of which were found at the Woolworths in Gateway and Pavillion in the same year.
The matter was provisionally withdrawn against the men in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court last year.
The court heard on Monday that the five men were arrested on Friday by members of the Organised Crime Unit who were investigating a house robbery in Scottburgh.
Officials say a search warrant was obtained for the residence at Mayville after they received information indicating that the stolen items were on the premises.
A search was conducted and over 6 000 rounds of ammunition, a norinco AK 47 rifle, seven cell phones, two magazines, a rifle as well as diamonds and jewellery were seized.
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State prosecutor Calvin Govender firstly requested that the media do not identify or take pictures of the accused in the matter, saying that the case is extremely sensitive at this stage.
Govender then requested a seven-day postponement in the case, saying that the state still needs time to investigate in terms of profiling of the accused and verification of personal information.
The state prosecutor told the court that Organised Crime Unit would be dealing with the matter and that the state has also been told that investigators are planning to have consultations with the FBI.
Govender told the court that bail is opposed at this stage.
The suspects aged between 23 and 47 are currently facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition as well as for being in possession of suspected stolen property.
The five told the court that they had opted for a private attorney who told the court that they would oppose the state's application for the postponement and that they wanted bail today.
However, Magistrate Vanitha Armu denied the request and postponed the matter to next Monday for bail consideration.
