Mbuso Moloi, who was labelled the “Woolies looter” or the “Mercedes looter”, has now apologised to South Africans through two letters he gave to the Sunday Times.

 

 

Moloi said his name was tarnished when he was photographed loading the food items into his father’s Mercedes-Benz C300 coupé, and his decision to loot was a poor reflection of his character and what he believed in.

“There are many things I am not proud of, certainly not July 12 2021. Whether I’ m in a Mercedes-Benz or on foot. Wrong is wrong,’ he wrote.

“After being labelled and smeared 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 thought reaching for the stars meant climbing on top of others, using their hands to lift me up and heads as stepping blocks. I acted immaturely, losing track and sight of the present day.”

Moloi handed himself over to police on July 28 last year after a warrant of arrest was issued for him the previous day.

He has made several court appearances and changed lawyers on more than three occasions.

During his last court appearance, on June 23, he was expected to plead guilty to all eight counts he faces, which include theft, trespassing and operating a vehicle without a corresponding number plate. However, he once again changed attorneys.

Dunstan Farrell of Farrell Attorneys said they had been approached by Moloi to represent him in the matter.

“We have not yet advised him on whether he should plead guilty. We are still perusing the statements,” Farrell said.

Moloi, who told the court he “does tenders” for a living, owns two vehicles and lives with his parents in Cowies Hill, near Pinetown.

He believes his case is personal and that he has been singled out.

“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 to R2,500, and none of them had to spend seven nights in Westville prison and experience the torture and trauma that my arrest came with,” Moloi said.

“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. 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.”

In September the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in KwaZulu-Natal obtained a preservation order at the Durban high court for the Mercedes-Benz Moloi used to commit the crimes.

He said the case had mental and financial implications that had pushed him “to the edge of hell”.

“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 had to tell you how much a therapist costs you would possibly consider changing professions because those people make a lot of money.”

Moloi said he had been to Woolworths several times to shop and had taken the opportunity to apologise to the staff at the shop which he looted.