Two suspects have been given separate trials for their actual lack of involvement in the SBV robbery.
In the latest proceeding of the SBV robbery in which R107-million was stolen, two Hawks members entered the B-Court of the Witbank Magistrates Court on August 31 as Robert Clack and Sibysiso Shabangu, two suspects currently in custody, were brought up from the holding cells.
Magistrate Ernst du Plooy called for the remaining suspects who were out on bail to enter the court room.
Mr Alf Grobler, the state advocate, made way at the podium for Mr Hein van der Merwe, the state prosecutor from the Director of Public Prosecution, who is now leading the prosecution over the SBV case.
“The state requests separate trials for accused nine and 12, that of Kruger and De Villiers and to inform the court that Mr van Eeden has withdrawn from representing accused 12 and that legal aid would be appointed for both accused,” said Van der Merwe.
The reason behind splitting the trials was that both Hans Kruger and David de Villiers had no direct involvement in the robbery of the SBV holdings situated in Klipfontein on April 27, 2014. They merely assisted the accused after the robbery with transporting and hiding the stolen monies.
Magistrate van Eeden asked the defence attorneys if they had any objection with the separation of the trial, to which no one objected.
Van der Merwe then added that he disclosed two CDs containing the docket to the defence and that a further five CDs, containing additional documentation would be distributed within the week.
Magistrate Du Plooy then requested that the matter be postponed to October 2. “
If all parties are properly instructed then we will transfer to high court,” he said.
Van der Merwe added that the indictment document would be handed to the court on the next date. He also informed the court that Mr Hendrik Potgieter would now be representing Clack and Shabangu.
“The case is remanded until October 2 for High Court date as well as for the indictments,” said Magistrate du Plooy.
Kruger, De Villiers, Clack and Shabangu were requested to remain behind.
Clack was returned to custody in which he will remain due to having a pending case against him in the Boksburg Magistrate Court. Kruger and De Villiers were told they had to re-appear on October 2 in the regional court of the Witbank Magistrate Court for trial in the case 3243/2015.
At the request of Potgieter, Shabangu was informed by the court that he would have to return to the court on September 2 for his bail application.
With the high court date drawing near and the indictments being made soon available, the defence of the 22 accused will need to construct a solid defence against the prosecution of the state.
