Let the tooth be told

2003-03-03 22:56

Ronel Bester

Cape Town - The Cape High Court heard on Monday that police found dentures belonging to one of the men suspected of killing Sidney Meyer Seftel, a retired architect from Muizenberg, in Seftel's house.

Advocate Laureen Abrahams, acting for Jerome du Preez, confirmed that the dentures belonged to her client. He alleges, however, that police confiscated the dentures because of the gold in them when he was arrested.

Inspector Mevyn Baardman, the investigating officer, said a friend of Seftel gave him the dentures.

He then asked Du Preez whether the dentures belonged to him and Du Preez replied that he had lost the dentures four months previously.

Actor Danny Keogh, Seftel's neighbour, testified earlier that he found half a set of dentures in Seftel's house but thought that it belonged to Seftel.

Rochelle Cherry, a former sex worker, testified earlier that Du Preez used to be her boyfriend and pimp, while Seftel was a regular client.

She and Seftel were attacked while they were waiting for a Viagra pill he took to take effect.

Cherry said both she and Du Preez used drugs and that he sometimes beat her into the streets to earn money for mandrax or beer despite the fact that she was menstruating.

Cherry was initially charged with the murder, together with Du Preez and Selwyn Davids, but she has since turned state witness.

The fourth accused in the case, Andrew Lottering, was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after his arrest.

Baardman said he kept the dentures in his possession because he was trying to trace the dentist who made them. The dentures were handed in at the court as evidence on Monday.

Baardman said police would not take away a personal effect, such as dentures, from a suspect during his arrest.

- Die Burger