Mom: I can control liar son

2008-11-07 14:50

Durban - A mother, whose 22-year old son is the co-accused in a double murder, said her son would not lie to her again because "he realises the lies he has told got him into this situation", the Pinetown Regional Court heard on Friday.

Yogasundrie Naidoo told the court that despite the numerous lies her son had told him in the past two years, she believed she would be able to control him if her were granted bail.

Her son, Matthew Naidoo along with his girlfriend Nicolette Lotter, 26, and her brother Hardus, 20, are accused of murdering their parents - Johannes and Magdalena Lotter - in their Westville home on July 19.

Inconsistencies

Some of the inconsistencies highlighted by state prosecutor Jan Buitendag included saying that he was working in London and that he was studying music with Unisa.

Buitendag pointed out that Naidoo had never been to London and that he had never been enrolled with Unisa. In fact, her son had returned to her Phoenix home earlier this year to visit his mother, pretending he was out on holiday from the United Kingdom.

The court heard that he had brought her a bead necklace and earrings which he claimed were from London.

Asked by Magistrate Yugan Naidu whether she would be able to control her son, she said: "I would. He realises the lies he has told have got him into this situation."

She said that when she had visited her son in prison, he had repeatedly told her that he was sorry that "I had to come and visit him in prison."

"So he wasn't sorry about all the lies," Buitendag retorted.

She told the court that she had no assets of her own and that he family had put together R8 000 for her sons bail.

Buitendag added that the 22-year old had already "disappeared" to London.

R400 a week

She said she had secured employment for her son where he would earn R400 a week to help pay for his legal fees.

Earlier, the press were initially barred on Friday from covering the bail application hearing.

Before proceedings kicked off in the regional court members of the press were removed from the court room.

A court orderly, who would only identify himself as Inspector Paton, said that only family members were allowed to be in court.

It was not until a formal complaint was lodged with the Pinetown Magistrates Court's control prosecutor that the press along with family members were allowed into the court room.

- SAPA