'Mouth-to-mouth from strangers'
2006-12-07 20:05
Cape Town - A man accused of trafficking in the drug, tik, wept in court as he told how he was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by strangers.
Ismail Daniels, 52, appeared in Wynberg regional court, Cape Town, on Thursday for a bail application.
Daniels burst into tears as he told how those in his cell had become fond of him, but it was nevertheless a matter of life and death for him to be released into the care of his wife and family.
Scorpions prosecutor Greg Wolmarans asked him: "What caused you to weep?"
Daniels replied: "I can't take Pollsmoor any more.
"There, strangers have to look after you, and there is no privacy - I'm given mouth-to-mouth by people I don't even know."
Three charges of tik-dealing
He complained about his failing health during his application and told the court that he had shortness of breath and had to be given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by friends sharing his cell at Pollsmoor Prison.
"It is not good for my health, as a Muslim man, to be given mouth-to-mouth by non-Muslim people who eat different food," he told magistrate Jackie Redelinghuys.
Daniels was in the dock with alleged drug high-flyer Nazier Kapdi, 55, and accomplices Ghulzar Ahmed, 49, Owen Phakade, 30, and Fatima Clack, 51.
They face three charges of dealing in tik and one involving the supply of the tik ingredient, ephedrine.
The charge sheet alleges that they dealt in 2kg of tik in Edgemead on October 6, and another 2kg on October 12 at the N1 City shopping complex at Goodwood.
The third count alleges that they supplied 10kg of ephedrine to a senior police officer in a police sting on October 12, at N1 City shopping complex.
A fourth charge is for allegedly selling 4kg of tik at Kenilworth shopping centre on October 17.
Daniels was cross-examined by Scorpions prosecutor Greg Wolmarans, who suggested that he was the cause of his own health problems. Daniels denied the accusation.
He said his failing health had resulted in his transfer to the hospital section at Pollsmoor Prison.
Report listed his ailments
Daniels said his health had deteriorated seriously since his arrest in October.
He told the court: "In the awaiting-trial section, my friends care about me, but in the hospital section they don't help you."
A medical report handed to the court listed his ailments as angina, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, water retention and a lung infection.
The trial continues on Friday.
- SAPA