Hoax e-mail case postponed
2008-02-27 13:05
Pretoria - The fraud case against former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) director-general Billy Masetlha and his two co-accused was postponed in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday.
The case against Masetlha, IT specialist Muziwendoda Kunene and former NIA manager for electronic surveillance Funokwakhe Madlala was postponed to June 11 to 13.
The three are facing fraud charges relating to alleged hoax e-mails implicating senior ANC members in a conspiracy against then deputy president Jacob Zuma.
The matter was postponed to allow state witness Senior Superintendent Beau Grobler time to assess how many files found on Kunene's Packard Bell laptop computer were related to the case.
According to the state, Grobler "was far" from reaching a conclusion.
This followed a question posed by the defence to assess how many of the 7 000 documents on the computer linked the accused to the matter.
The court heard on Monday that Kunene's computer showed that the e-mails were viewed on a flash drive inserted into the computer. On Tuesday Grobler said the e-mails could have emanated from elsewhere and from other devices.
Kunene was allegedly paid R152 000 to intercept certain e-mails between certain individuals and hand over the information to Masetlha.
Madlala allegedly made sure that Masetlha received the e-mails. In court, the three have denied knowledge of the e-mails.
Bail conditions
The court also heard an application to have Masetlha's bail condition amended as the state felt "uncomfortable" given the "seriousness of matter" to just have his bail extended.
This bail condition stated that Masetlha would have to hand over his passport, once it had been renewed, to the court.
In a previous condition on his bail, the court had been in possession of his passport.
Masetlha's lawyer Imraan Haffajee said: "There was a previous bail condition that he hand over his passport which has since then expired. (The passport) was only received from the state today (Wednesday). What this means is that he can now apply for a new one."
Kunene, who also faces two unrelated charges was to be taken to the Moot police station. He will be transported to the Kroonstad prison on Thursday.
- SAPA