Mdluli caught in web of lies, court hears
2011-04-11 23:00
Johannesburg - The bail hearing of Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli and his co-accused will enter its fourth day on Tuesday, as the State was unable to wrap up its case in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court.
The State’s witness, investigator Kobus Roelofse, who was involved in the Glenn Agliotti case, testified on Monday that Mdluli abused his power, was caught up in a web of lies and deceit and was linked to a series of crimes from 1998.
The court heard Mdluli had been directly linked to the 1999 murder of Oupa Ramogibe. Witnesses had identified him in assault and kidnapping cases, charges which he has denied.
Roelofse said the lives of key witnesses would be in danger if the four accused were released on bail, as they knew who these witnesses were, despite them denying it.
The court heard Mdluli allegedly used his position, ranked one below Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele, to try and stop the investigation against him.
Jealous man
Roelofse described Mdluli as a jealous man who resorted to extreme measures to cover up his involvement in the murder and related crimes.
A letter penned by Mdluli which was sent to various ministers was used to further his argument of a plot against him.
Roelofse contended that this letter showed Mdluli was using his considerable influence to stop the investigation. He said dockets relating to the murder had disappeared and that the accused could not be trusted.
Mdluli, Lieutenant Colonel Mtunzi-Omhle Mthembeni Mtunzi, 52, court orderly Samuel Dlomo, 49, and Colonel Nkosana Sebastian Ximba, 38, stand accused of killing Ramogibe in 1999.
Roelofse submitted that some of the paragraphs in the top secret Ntlemeza report were not declassified, because it would show Mdluli had instructed one of his co-accused to deal with the Ramogibe investigation.
Conspiracy
The State said Mdluli declassified what he needed to, to serve his own agenda.
The classified report by Mdluli allegedly clears him of the crime and suggests top police officials conspired against him to derail his appointment.
Mdluli said earlier the charges against him were fabricated. On Monday he refused to comment on this.
"I will answer that only at the trial," he said.
Roelofse said if found guilty, all four accused could get lengthy prison terms, because the State had a strong prima facie case against them. It was possible that given the accused’s ranks and influence, police friends and colleagues could tamper with evidence.
Based on the gravity of the case and doubts that the accused would obey bail conditions, Roelofse asked the court to deny all four bail.
He said investigations were continuing and that the National Prosecuting Authority intended taking the matter to the High Court.
- SAPA
