THE notorious group of high profile criminals dubbed the ‘KZN 8’ appeared at the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court last week.
The case was subsequently postponed to 29 September for trial.
The group of eight, who were arrested in February, were charged with the possession of four illegal and unlicensed firearms, 23 rounds of ammunition and the conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Originally from Gauteng, the men aged between 37 and 52-years-old have been convicted of previous crimes in both their home province and Mpumalanga.
According to Empangeni Violent Crime Unit Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Sipho Mnguni, in December 2013 the men were suspected of planning to rob Pick n Pay at Sanlam Centre, but were later arrested in Ulundi for the possession of six illegal firearms and granted bail.
Meticulously following leads on the men, the Empangeni SAPS seized the group of eight in February along the N2 toward Mtubatuba.
It is alleged the gang was en route to pick up two large rifles prior to making their way to Pick n Pay Supermarket for a second time.
The men are currently being detained at the High Risk Medium A cell in Westville Prison.
