Durban gun shop owner Anderson Padayachee has pleaded not guilty to a series of serious charges, including eight counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, and multiple violations of the Firearms Control Act.
Padayachee’s charges stem from allegations that he sold firearms to the notorious Terrible Josters gang, a group implicated in a string of violent crimes in KwaZulu-Natal.
Padayachee appeared in the Durban High Court, where he maintained his innocence in the face of mounting evidence linking his firearms business to the gang’s criminal activities.
Prosecutors allege that Padayachee knowingly supplied weapons to gang members, which were then used to carry out murders and other violent acts in the province.
Investigators claim that ballistic tests have tied weapons sold by Padayachee to several crime scenes linked to the Terrible Josters gang.
In addition to the murder and attempted murder charges, he is accused of contravening the Firearms Control Act by failing to properly document transactions and selling weapons without conducting mandatory background checks.
During the court proceedings, the defense argued that Padayachee was not aware that his clients were members of a criminal gang, asserting that he followed standard protocols when selling firearms.
Padayachee’s lawyer stated that the charges were based on circumstantial evidence and vowed to challenge the prosecution’s case vigorously.
The Terrible Josters gang has been at the center of escalating violence in Durban, with police linking the group to turf wars, drug trafficking, and multiple homicides.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with many calling for stricter enforcement of firearm regulations to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands.
The trial is set to continue, with prosecutors expected to present additional evidence, including witness testimonies and forensic reports.
If convicted, Padayachee could face life imprisonment for his alleged role in supplying weapons that fueled gang violence in the region.