Robbery suspect wants his car from police

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Tuesday July 13, 2010 00:00

 

The South African said in court yesterday that he has been making countless efforts since 2007 to engage the state regarding investigations on his BMW 530 but he never got a satisfactory answer. He told the court that he wants the state to return the R8,800, which was confiscated from him when he was arrested in South Africa.

However, state attorney, Priscilla Israel told the court that the prosecution knows nothing about the money. 'I am very much interested in that money. If we knew of it, it would definitely form part of our exhibits,' Israel said. She added that the vehicle forms part of their exhibits and they are still using it in their investigation. She said the car might be the proceeds of serious crime.

She told the accused to source funds elsewhere and not depend on the release and sale of the vehicle. As the debate heated up, magistrate Ephraith Ndengwa advised Mlotsa to refrain from engaging in submissions that might undermine his attorney. She said the continued debate between Mlotsa and the state might not serve him well in future as it will form part of the court record. 'Let us wait for your attorney Enoch Mazonde where issues of money and vehicle would be discussed in his presence,' Ndengwa said.

Mlotsa and compatriot Tebogo Mafisa, together with a Motswana Jeremiah Modise are accused of armed robbery near Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in December 2006. The heist saw Fidelity Cash Management Services losing about P5.5 million. Modise and Mafisa have already been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the then Village Chief Magistrate, Lot Moroka.  The police recovered about P2 million of the P5.5 million from a consignment that was arriving from South Africa; the remaining money is suspected to be with Mafisa and Mlotswa. The trial continues on July 21.