Durban Arms Dealer Denies Ownership Of Firearms Linked To Cape Flats Gang Murders

Anderson Padayachee, the Durban arms dealer accused of illegally supplying firearms to Cape Flats gangs, has denied ownership of the weapons used in several murders.

Appearing before Judge Daniel Thulare in the Western Cape High Court this week, Padayachee presented his defense, claiming that the firearms in question were sold to another arms dealer, who is now deceased.

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Padayachee, the arms dealer, who was arrested by the Hawks in February 2021, faces eight murder charges and five attempted murder charges.

The charges stem from firearms allegedly sold by him to gangs involved in violent turf wars across Cape Town, including the murders of several men in areas such as Bonteheuwel, Kalksteenfontein, and Lotus River.

The firearms supplied were allegedly used in gang-related shootings between August 2017 and May 2019.

Padayachee’s Defense

Padayachee’s lawyer, Advocate Carlo Viljoen, told the court that his client sold the firearms to Michael Erasmus of Southern Sky dealership in July 2018, a month before the first recorded shooting.

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Padayachee claims that although he obtained a firearms trading permit in August 2017, he had no ownership of the weapons at the time of the murders.

According to Padayachee, the guns were sold for R161,000, but only received R96,000, with an agreement for Erasmus to pay the remaining balance.

“He was supposed to pay, but never did,” Viljoen explained. “After several attempts, he was sent a lawyer’s letter, but Erasmus committed suicide, and his business partner, Andy Jones, disappeared.”

Padayachee later reported a criminal case of theft under false pretenses in 2019.

Gun Busts And Ties To Notorious Figures

Interestingly the trial also revealed links between Padayachee and Suhail Mohamed, a popular TikTok personality known as Mr Zulu.

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Mohamed was allegedly present during a 2018 gun bust involving Padayachee.

A Laingsburg cop testified that he stopped Padayachee for speeding near Touws River in June 2018, discovering 17 firearms and 24 magazines in his car.

Mohamed, traveling with Padayachee, was let go after Padayachee showed police his arms dealer permit.

The trial continues next month, as Padayachee faces serious charges for his role in fueling gun violence on the Cape Flats.

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