Brothers acquitted of airport heist
Two brothers have been acquitted of involvement in one of the South Africa's biggest armed heists involving R100 million.
Two brothers, one a lawyer and another a baker, have been acquitted of involvement in one of the South Africa's biggest armed heists involving R100 million, The Star reported on Thursday.
The crime occurred at the OR Tambo International Airport almost eight years ago.
Cape Town lawyer Rooshdeen Rudolph and his brother Shaheed were facing several charges including attempted murder and robbery related to the 2006 heist.
They were acquitted on all charges in the High Court in Johannesburg sitting in Palm Ridge on Tuesday.
The brothers plan to claim R30 million damages each from the State.
Speaking from Johannesburg on Wednesday, Rooshdeen Rudolph said: "We're ecstatic and relieved."
He said nothing would relieve him and Shaheed, a Pretoria resident, of the pain and trauma they have suffered.
The brothers were implicated in a March 25 2006 robbery at the then Johannesburg International Airport.
Twenty four men held up guards and police on board a South African Airways plane at the airport and stole money bags that had been flown from the UK.
Seven men were tried and sentenced for their involvement in the heist.
Six are serving jail terms between eight to 22 years.
-Sapa