OR TAMBO HEIST: Suspect reveals he earns R400 000 a month

Thando Sonqishe and Prince Raphael appear at the Kempton Park Magistrates Court during their bail application on 28 March. The two where arrested in connection with the OR Tambo heist and are facing charges of armed robbery Picture: Alaister Russell/The Times

ONE of the suspects in the OR Tambo multi-million rand robbery shocked the court on Tuesday when he revealed he earned R400,000 a month.

In his affidavit‚ Prince Dube said his exhibition stalls business generate R400,000 a month and he could afford R30,000 bail.

Meanwhile‚ his co-accused Thando Sonqishe‚ the man who appeared in social media with a multi-million-rand Lamborghini‚ said that if he stayed in jail he would contact diseases given the poor state of prison facilities.

Sonqishe’s lawyer Victor Nkwashu told the court that his client could also afford R30,000 bail.

“My client was embarrassed by the manner in which the police handled his arrest and publicised in in the media. And if he continues in prison his transport business will suffer and his family will be left destitute‚” he said.

Prosecutor Pieter Erasmus opposed their bail and said the men were facing serious charges of armed robbery and investigations were underway to effect more arrests.

Tiso Black Star Group/SowetanLIVE

By Peter Ramothwala