Cape Town - A 39-year-old Durbanville doctor, who worked at the Tygerberg Hospital trauma unit, is accused of possessing an arsenal of illegal firearms which he allegedly sold to gangs.
Outstanding documents in the case involving Clinton King are to be handed to the defence before the matter can proceed.
King appeared in the Khayelitsha Regional Court on Friday.
State prosecutor Christiaan de Jongh said more documents relating to King’s defence would be handed to advocate John Riley who could then make submissions to the directorate of public prosecutions.
King was arrested at his home in October.
According to the charge sheet, he is being charged with possession of drugs, illegal firearms and ammunition and gang activities for offences under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998.
His charges include:
* Aiding and abetting criminal gang activity.
* Incitement to participate in a pattern of criminal gang activity.
* Dealing in drugs.
* Possession of firearms without a licence.
* Unlawful possession of ammunition.
* Failure to lock away a firearm in a prescribed safe.
* Loss of a firearm.
* Providing a firearm or ammunition to any person not allowed to possess it.
* Failure to report theft, loss or destruction of a firearm.
* Defeating the ends of justice.
It is the State’s case that King actively participated in a criminal gang – the Hard Livings – between 2006 and 2010 and that he was found with drugs valued at more than R50 000 on another occasion.
It is alleged that in Durbanville on October 18 he was found with a 9mm Parabellum semi-automatic pistol and a 6.35 calibre Star semi-automatic pistol. Both had their serial numbers erased and he did not have a licence or permit.
He was also found with a 6.35mm semi-automatic pistol with a serial number and 16 9mm cartridges and 42 6.35mm cartridges.
The State further alleges that on June 10, 2012 King failed to lock away a 9mm Glock pistol in a safe and that he had lost or disposed of it and failed to report it missing. King is accused of giving guns and ammunition to a man who was legally not allowed to possess one.
De Jongh asked for a postponement to prepare the outstanding documents for the defence.
Riley argued that the matter should not have been transferred to the Regional Court if the State’s investigation was not complete. He said the court should not allow the State to proceed under the pretext that they were ready for trial.
“Months have gone by and we will now submit that in the circumstances, you remove the matter from the roll until the State gets its house in order, and to have the matter reinstated once they’re ready.”
De Jongh replied that the State had sufficient evidence to prosecute King on the charges set out in the charge sheet.
Magistrate Johan Venter allowed the postponement, adding that the defence would have time to make representations to the office of director of public prosecutions before the trial starts.
The matter is set to continue on September 12.
Cape Argus