Kruger worker fails lie test
2004-04-22 00:08
Zenzele Kuhlase
Skukuza - One of seven workers implicated in an arson attack on a tourism complex in the Kruger National Park, has failed a police lie-detector test.
Police are testing all seven suspects after indications that the Lower Sabie tourist shopping and restaurant complex was torched on purpose at the Easter weekend.
The head of the investigation team, Skukuza police's inspector Oubaas Coetzer, said on Wednesday the lie-detector test on Monday and Tuesday focused on the cause of the fire.
"One worker failed the test, but we can't arrest him until a second test is held on Friday," he said.
The second test will include all seven suspects and will focus on R120 000 stolen from a safe.
Forensic investigators have confirmed the cash was cleared out from the safe before the blaze was set.
The safe was also undamaged, indicating that it hadn't been forced open.
"If the worker who failed the first test fails the second test, then we'll arrest him," said Coetzer.
The damage to the complex is estimated at more than R4m.
The fire caused R500 000 structural damage and destroyed curios and other goods worth an estimated R3.5m.
Police have now reopened investigations into an earlier fire at the same shopping centre in March 1998.
At the time, KNP authorities believed lightning caused the fire.
"But the latest arson incident is forcing all of us to re-examine the facts," said Coetzer.
- African Eye