SKUKUZA – Mr Wade Williams, who allegedly kidnapped and tried to kill his co-employee at Londolozi Game Reserve and robbed the lodge of R10 million, appeared in the Skukuza magistrate’s court on Wednesday. His case had to be postponed as his attorney does not represent him anymore. Williams has until May 27 to arrange legal representation.
Williams was arrested on the morning of Sunday April 5 after causing havoc at the reserve the previous evening. Testimony in opposition of Williams’ bail hearing was delivered in the White River Magistrate’s Court in April. The state’s witnesses unveiled how he planned to rob the lodge, kill his co-worker and make off with millions.
Investigating officer Capt Leory Bruwer testified that the accused’s modus operandi was saved on his laptop, which was confiscated on the day of his arrest. This document was titled POA and provided the reader with step-by-step instructions on how to pull off the perfect heist. Bruwer said that the plan stipulated how Williams would kidnap his co-employee, Mr Dave Dampier and rob the reserve of R10 million before destroying evidence pointing to him.
Read Williams’ alleged POA here:
Wade Williams allegedly planned heist months in advance
According to Senior State Advocate Ms Isabet Erwee, Williams tied Dampier to a beam in Dampier’s room and obtained access codes to the reserve’s bank accounts from him. He forced his victim to down 750 ml of champagne and 750ml vodka before tying a plastic bag around his head in an attempt to suffocate him. It was also placed on record that Williams tried to break Dampier’s neck.
Bruwer testified that the next step on Williams’ POA dictated that he had to get rid of the victim’s body. However, Dampier offered resistance and derailed Williams’ plan. Williams regained control over Dampier and shoved him into the reserve’s Discovery 4 before leaving the lodge and heading for the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. On his way to the airport, Williams dropped Dampier off next to the road.
Dampier was picked up by some of the reserve’s employees and the police were alerted immediately.
Erwee stated that Williams wanted to flee to Kenia, but that he coulndn’t get a plane ticket and decided to drive to Johannesburg instead. Police tracked him down on the N4 in Mbombela’s industrial area and he was taken into custody. Williams was denied bail on April 20.
The first appearance in his trial was scheduled for Wednesday. When Williams appeared in court, he confirmed that he won’t be making use of his current attorney, Mr Mzilikazi Enos Mazibuko, anymore. The case was postponed to May 27 to provide Williams with time to arrange legal representation. He remains in custody.
