End In Sight In Baroda Robbery Case

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Monday December 7, 2009 00:00

On Friday, Regional Magistrate Lot Moroka indicated that the case might be completed by next March after he set the trial dates. Moroka set January 14, February 15 and March 4 as the trial dates after the state indicated 2010 that they are calling their last witnesses.

The suspects in the case are Elizabeth Surtee, her sons Edward and Michael, and her sister, Maureen Moseki. The state alleges that the four robbed Bank of Baroda of P1 million and threatened to use violence on the bank's managing director Kadayam Ramasubramoney in April 2003.

On Friday, defence attorney, Duma Boko,  urged the court to direct the investigating officer to avail the passport of Surtee when she needs to travel outside the country.

'One of the bail conditions were that my client surrenders her travelling documents and they will be availed to her when and as the need arises,' Boko said.

However, the state prosecutor, Bafi Nlanda told the court that he does not see any problems with availing the passport to the accused.

He conferred with the investigating officer and announced that they will indeed avail the document to Surtee who will in turn return it to the police upon return. Moroka ordered that Surtee should return the passport to the police immediately when she returns from outside the country.

Meanwhile, Moroka urged lawyers handling the Central Medical Stores fraud case on Friday to consider admitting some witnesses' statements in a bid to shorten the length of the trial.

The case involves, Jabulani Johnson, Norman Maja, Aaron Babolele, Lebogang Kaisara, David Tumagole, Patrick Cole, Clement Molefe, Otsile Mosarwe, Abraham Marumo, Bushy Nthibo and Bee Jenamo Mfana. All the accused persons are out on bail except Johnson and Tumagole.

While Johnson is in because it is suspected he might jump bail, Tumagole has been convicted of two separate crimes by the High Court. He is serving five years for armed robbery and nine years for murder with extenuating circumstances. The case was thrown in disarray early last month when two of the defence attorneys, Dick Bayford and Unoda Mack threatened to withdraw. The case has been set for hearing on February 18 next year. It will be mentioned on December 18 where only Johnson will appear.