Durban arms dealer, Anderson Padayachee.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
The Durban arms dealer accused of illegally selling guns to Cape Flats gangs resulting in various murders has denied being the owner of the firearms, saying he sold the guns to another arms dealer who is now dead.
The version of Anderson Padayachee was presented to Judge Daniel Thulare as he returned to the Western Cape High Court this week for the ongoing firearms trial.
According to the indictment, Padayachee is facing eight murder charges and five attempted murder charges, in that the firearms he allegedly supplied were used in gang wars in various areas including Bonteheuwel, Kalksteenfontein and Lotus River, among others.
The court papers allege that Padayachee assisted the Terrible Josters in the period between August 2017 and May 2019.
While Padayachee was not identified as the actual shooter in the murder cases, the State contends that because he sold the guns illegally, he should be found guilty of murder.
On Monday, the State led two witnesses who described the events surrounding the murders, which are dated back to July 2018.
Advocate Carlo Viljoen said his client’s version is that the guns identified in the trial were not owned by Padayachee at the time.
He says Padayachee obtained a firearms trading permit in August 2017 and in July 2018, when the first shooting is recorded, he had sold the guns to Michael Erasmus of Southern Sky dealership.
He claims Erasmus had failed to pay him and he subsequently issued a letter of demand to Erasmus and his business partner Andy Jones.
In a twist, he says Erasmus committed suicide and Jones disappeared.
Viljoen said: "He was supposed to pay, but never paid the outstanding amount. After several attempts he was sent a lawyers letter but Erasmus committed suicide and Jones disappeared."
The case number read into the record shows Padayachee only reported the criminal case in 2019.
Cape Argus
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