Tourist death: Woman gets bail

2003-10-08 15:27

Cape Town - A "prostitute" who allegedly killed American businessman Paul Gillis by lacing his drink in a hotel room here last month has been released on R5 000 bail.

The state did not oppose Wednesday's bail bid in Cape Town regional court by Neziswa Khumalo, 34, of Smith Street, Parow.

Ususally, bail applications in the regional court are in terms of sections of the Criminal Procedure Act which places the onus on the accused to satisfy the court that the interests of justice require his or her release.

Such applications are usually opposed.

Magistrate Pam Naidoo said that even though the State had not objected in this case, it was her function to decide whether or not to grant the application.

She said the court was not even sure what the charges would be, and that the State was relying on circumstantial evidence.

Found dead in his bed

Naidoo said it was possible Gillis had himself bought the drugs with which his drink was laced and had consumed them without any prompting from Khumalo.

Evidence at this stage was still sketchy, although it was possible the State would have a stronger case later.

Khumalo is alleged to have caused the death of Gillis, an irrigation salesman, at the Waterfront Holiday Inn while he was on business in Cape Town between September 7 and 9 this year.

Gillis was found dead in his bed and Khumalo was arrested on September 26 after an intensive police search.

Naidoo ordered her to surrender her passport and banned her from leaving the Western Cape without the consent of the investigating officer.

She was ordered to appear in court again on November 18.

- SAPA