Bees case is strange - magistrate
2010-08-30 23:07
Gerhard Pretorius and Fanie van Rooyen, Beeld
Pretoria - A credit card belonging to Blue Bulls prop Bees Roux, who has been charged with the murder of a Tshwane metro policeman, was used at a fast food restaurant shortly after the incident.
This is what Roux's legal representative, Rudi Krause, alleged in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Monday, where Roux applied for bail after the death on Friday of Sergeant Ntshimane Johannes Mohale, 38.
Krause said Roux's credit card was used at a McDonald's restaurant on Friday morning at 02:31 - between 30 minutes and an hour after Mohale was assaulted.
Roux appeared calm but slightly nervous in court.
About 50 metro police officials, including senior officials as well as Dikeledi Lehobye, mayoral committee member for community safety, were in the court.
Mohale's brother, Richard Taukobong, 48, called out to Roux "You fucking dog!" as he was led to the dock.
Police reinforcements
When Roux was led out for a short recess minutes later, Taukobong yelled: "I'm going to get your mother, you fucking dog!"
Metro police officials repeatedly had to hold Taukobong back. After the lunch hour, armed members of the police's tactical response unit entered the courtroom to maintain order.
Roux said in his statement to the court, which was read by Krause, that he is not a flight risk and that he has thus far done everything in his power to help the police with their investigation.
"I don't want to live like a fugitive."
The defence said Roux will plead not guilty and asked that bail be set at R5 000. They indicated that Roux earns R850 000 per year.
The State asked that it be set at R20 000. Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair, however, set bail at R100 000.
This was paid and Roux was released on Monday.
Mystery
The investigating officer, Patrick Mafanel, testified that the circumstances surrounding the incident are still unclear.
"We know Mohale was on duty along with two colleagues and that they pulled Roux over at the corner of Schoeman and Festival streets for drunk driving," said Mafanel.
"Mohale told his colleagues he was going to drive Roux's car home because Roux was drunk.
"But we don't know why the colleagues didn't follow them or see the assault."
The defence argued that there are still many unanswered questions. These include why Mohale's colleagues didn't follow him and Roux, why Roux was not arrested for drunk driving and why Mohale was driving in the opposite direction of the nearest police stations (Brooklyn and Sunnyside) towards Roux's house in Equestria, in the east of Pretoria.
Mafanel also testified that Mohale's two colleagues had not made statements because they didn't see what happened.
Nair described these circumstances as "strange" in his bail verdict.
Roux's father, Phillip, his mother, Yvonne, and his friend, Carien du Toit, were also in court.
Du Toit said the family does not want to speak to the media at this stage.
James Adams, Roux's agent, told the media after court proceedings that Roux would like to thank his friends, family and especially his legal representative for supporting him during this difficult time.
One of Mohale's sisters cried almost non-stop during court proceedings.
Outside the court, a group of about 40 people protested against bail for Roux.
Outside court Richard Taukobong said they are sad. "We have lost a family member, but we believe that justice will be done."
None of Roux's Blue Bull teammates were seen at the court.