The women who had arrived from Johannesburg then went to an airport taxi forecourt where the defendants followed them and took their suitcases – which were never recovered.
The judge said it became apparent that the group of men “had a particular and determined interest” in the women’s suitcases.
“Your group followed and confronted the pair (of women) who tried to get a taxi,” Judge Inyundo said.
“Your group threatened violence to them and took the suitcases from them.”
CS gas, which is used by police forces worldwide as tear gas to temporarily incapacitate people, was sprayed in the face of one of the women at close range at about 08:03 “causing her to start coughing and choking”, the court heard.
Passengers leaving and travelling to the airport faced significant disruption, including delays to shuttle buses and trains, when Terminal 3 was locked down after the incident.
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