Plea-bargain move on CAT rap

2008-04-23 22:17

Cape Town - Negotiations are underway for a gay couple accused of manufacturing the drug CAT to go on trial in plea-bargaining procedures, Cape Town Magistrate's Court heard on Wednesday.

Jacobus Johannes Venter, 44, and Jacques van Rensburg, 38, allegedly set up a CAT laboratory in their luxury apartment in Sea Point.

Since their arrest in 2006, the couple have appeared in court a number of times and, on Wednesday, Magistrate Mogamad Esau, at the request of prosecutor Karen Barnard, warned them to appear in court again on May 22.

Their lawyer, Ben Matthewson, told the court he had given a plea-bargain proposal to the senior prosecuting authorities in Cape Town.

If the authorities approved the proposed sentence - no indication was given in court what this was - a negotiated plea-bargain agreement would be placed before the court, which would finalise the case.

CAT sells for about R300 a gram on the streets.

The couple face four charges - two of dealing in CAT, one involving the manufacture the chemical ephedrine (the main ingredient of CAT) and one relating to the alleged possession of other chemicals used in the manufacture of CAT.

Both men are out on R75 000 bail.

- SAPA