Bheki: Dropping charges OK

2003-10-23 21:37

Liela Magnus

Pretoria - Bheki Khumalo, spokesperson for President Thabo Mbeki, apparently said he "wouldn't mind" if the case against one of the men who hijacked him earlier this year was withdrawn if the man agreed to help police.

This was the testimony before the Pretoria magistrate's court on Thursday during the unsuccessful bail application of Prince Diko, 27, and Solele Shibambo, 22. The two men have been charged with two counts of armed robbery.

Josjeph Moyo, the men's legal representative said Diko knew Khumalo "well" and that he recognised Khumalo before the hijacking in Pretoria. Diko claims, however, that he was under the influence of his friends at the time.

Diko offered to turn state witness and assist the investigating officer in tracking down the other hijackers.

Khumalo identified Diko in an identity parade and allegedly agreed that the case against him should be dropped if he co-operated with police.

Magistrate Enoch Choma said it was up to the state to withdraw the case.

In his statement, Shibambo denied guilt because he wasn't identified in the parade.

However, Inspector Dennis Jansen, the investigating officer, testified that some of Khumalo's personal belongings were found in Shibambo's possession.

State prosecutor, Paul du Plessis, said the defence failed to provide good reasons why bail should be granted. He said the number of armed robbery was rapidly increasing and that society was getting sick and tired of it.

- Beeld