Jaws drop in court as airport heist accused reveals he earns R400,000 a month

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.

• Robbery charges against one of airport heist accused withdrawnThe Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Friday withdrew charges of armed robbery against one of the seven accused in the OR Tambo International Airport heist case. 

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 the media. And if he continues in prison his transport business will suffer and his family will be left destitute‚" he said.

• Airport heist suspects appear in court‚ police launch witch hunt for media sourcesA policeman is among the five people arrested for this month’s daring R200-million cash heist at OR Tambo International Airport. 

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. Magistrate Amulelani Msimeki postponed the matter to 2pm for further arguments.

- TMG Digital/SowetanLIVE