The much-anticipated trial against the so-called ‘Mercedes Benz looter’ has been adjourned until later this week.
Image via Twitter
July unrest ‘Mercedes looter’ apologises – and bemoans ‘victimisation’
Mbuso Moloi – the Durban man nicknamed the ‘Mercedes looter’ during the July unrest – has bemoaned being vilified by the law and media.
The much-anticipated trial against the so-called ‘Mercedes Benz looter’ has been adjourned until later this week.
Image via Twitter
Mbuso Moloi – the man who went viral for looting a Woolworths store during the July unrest exactly a year ago and loading the goods in his luxury car – has spoken out in an open letter.
The Durban man labelled the “Mercedes Woolies looter” gained infamy after a clip of him exiting a store with a basket of stolen goods went viral.
A year later, the self-proclaimed tenderpreneur has apologised for his actions – and bemoaned being personally targeted by the police.
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DENIAL OVER JULY UNREST WRONGDOING
On 12 April, Mbuso Moloi has filmed carrying a basket of looted goods to his Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe outside the Glenwood Woolworths store that was ransacked during the July unrest.
But before an extended clip of him exiting the store went viral, Moloi claimed he had been wrongfully accused. He told Tshisalive a day later: “I picked up things that were outside, not inside. I did not step inside Woolworths.”
The Cowies Hill resident maintained that he was being vilified during July unrest reporting. He added: “What is happening right now is that I am being threatened over something that is completely taken out of context. …I picked up the basket and raked whatever I can find on the floor and I take it with me. Is that looting?”
According to Moloi, he gathered, milk, juice, and washing powder. A full clip filmed by DA leader in eThekwini, Nicole Graham proved otherwise.
A few days later, a warrant was issued for his arrest and Moloi handed himself over to the police.
Moloi was charged with four counts of public violence, theft, trespassing, and driving a vehicle with false number plates. The case is still pending. According to 2OceansVibe, Moloi was expected to plead guilty, but he dropped his attorneys twice before.
The matter has been adjourned for a third time to August 15.
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A PUBLIC APOLOGY
Following a year of scrutiny following the July unrest, Mbuso Moloi shared a letter with the Sunday Times. In it, he claimed to be remorseful.
It read: “After being labelled and smeared as a civil terrorist, I got what I deserved. Believe me, it was more than I bargained for
“It has not been easy; I have endured a season or two of isolation and silence. Filtered with unfamiliar yellow concrete walls, startling echoes of heavy metal gates opening and closing, and my mother’s tears. These seasons will certainly humble any man.
“I was stubborn, arrogant, and selfish… I acted immaturely, losing track and sight of the present day.”
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COMPLAINTS OVER ‘VICTIMISATION’
However, Mbuso Moloi also used the opportunity to bemoan his treatment as opposed to other July unrest looters.
He added: “It still bothers me that my case has been one that has been dragged through the media and on top of that, I had paid a bail amount of R5,000 whereas others who had committed much more severe crimes during and after the unrest were given bail ranging from R1,500-R2,500. None of them had to spend seven nights in Westville prison and experience the torture and trauma that my arrest came with”.
He continued: “Furthermore, there were others who were caught on video and by police officers with appliances, heavy equipment, money, safes, and weapons and ammunition in their vehicles and none of them had their vehicles taken from them and some even had their cases withdrawn. It goes without question that my case has been one that is personal.”
Moloi also claimed that he had to foot an expensive bill after having to undergo therapy as a result of the repercussions of his July unrest actions.
He complained: “I have had to go through therapy after experiencing a near-death and suicide experience after being bullied and pushed around in Westville Prison. Therapists don’t take medical aid and if I have to tell you how much a therapist costs you would possibly consider changing professions cause those people make a lot of money.”
