Johannesburg - A man testifying in the trial of Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir and five others in the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge, on Thursday said he forgot to mention some evidence in his statement.
Under cross-examination by Andre Steenkamp, for Desai Luphondo, Vusi (Peter) Msimango admitted he omitted some evidence from his statement because “it was not important”.
Steenkamp told Msimango that in his evidence-in-chief he had revealed that a man known as Doctor had been paid R70 000 to transport drugs for Krejcir.
“You are right, it's not in my statement,” Msimango said through an interpreter. “I forgot to mention that.”
Doctor worked for a cargo company at OR Tambo International airport. He disappeared with the 25kg of tik he was supposed to help transport to Australia.
Msimango had told the court that Doctor was expected to receive between R250 000 and R300 000 after the drugs were delivered to Australia.
This information was also not in Msimango's statement.
“I didn't find that important,” said Msimango.
He told the court that this was not the first batch of drugs that Doctor had been recruited to transport. That was also not in his statement.
“I told the police officer about it. It was up to him to decide whether he chose to include it in my statement or not,” said Msimango.
“There were many issues I told the policeman that he didn't write down.”
Krejcir, Luphondo, Warrant Officers Samuel Modise Maropeng and George Nthoroane, Jan Lefu Mofokeng, and Siboniso Miya face charges of dealing in drugs, attempted murder, and kidnapping.
They allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and tortured Doctor's brother Bheki Lukhele in a bid to make him reveal his brother's whereabouts.
Lukhele was later left next to a stadium in Katlehong in the East Rand.
All the accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial continues. - Sapa