Accused building hijacker
JOHANNESBURG – Accused building hijacker Jonathan Constable and two accomplices appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court.
The Executive Mayor of the city of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba attended the bail hearing of Jonathan Constable who has been charged with hijacking property in Rosettenville, south of Johannesburg.
On the first day of his hearing in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court, a confident Constable firmly denied the allegations. He stood alongside co-accused Bongani Kathide and Kingsley Okwebe.
The three men’s attorney, Dumisani Mabunda, submitted Kathide’s affidavit to the court, while Okwebe told the court that he wants to explain to the National Prosecutions Authority to explain why he should not be prosecuted.
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Constable, who works in the anti-corruption unit of a Limpopo-based union, known as the National Immigrants Council of South Africa (NICSA), said he was busy investigating the ownership of two properties in Rosettenville.
This allegedly after complaints by members of the council who live on one property in Mable Street. He added that Obukwe was offered one of the properties by one ‘Pastor Ike’.
Constable told the court that during his alleged investigation of the title deeds of the Mable Street property, he discovered that the landlord, referred to in court as ‘Madam Grace’, did not have the necessary supporting documentation to validate the title deeds. He testified that he advised members of the immigrants’ council living in the building not to pay rent to her. Allegations were also made that the Eskom meter box valued at about R7 000 was removed.
Public prosecutor Kobus Ehlers asked Constable if the R500 Nicsa membership fees which tenants paid were being pocketed by him. Constable testified that he will deny this accusation ‘with the contempt it deserves’.
He added that the accusations against him were orchestrated by the City and the police and claimed that he and ‘his members’ have video footage of the police taking bribes.
Constable and his two co-accused applied for bail. His explained that he wants to avoid being blacklisted by honouring various financial commitments. He added that if he is denied bail, the community that he serves will suffer. The case was postponed to 11 January.
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Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said, “Hijacked properties are a major challenge for the City. However, working together with law enforcement authorities… we are making strides towards making the City a safe and inclusive space for all our residents to live, work and play.”
He added that he would reserve comment on the bail application hearing until the court has made a decision.
Details:joburg.org.za
