Durban - A man accused of operating a prostitution ring with young girls from a Durban hotel never had any telephonic contact with the hotel owner, who is accused of running a brothel, the Durban Regional Court heard on Thursday.
“We can say there are no (records of ) calls between accused four (Rugnath), five (Rugnath's wife) and accused one (Zweni),” prosecutor Yuri Gangai said.
Gangai asked for an adjournment to analyse telephonic records for Dr Genchen Rugnath, his co-accused, and key witnesses.
Rugnath, his wife Ravina, and their co-accused Sandile Patrick Zweni, Nonduzo Dlamini and Bhabha Dubazini, have all pleaded not guilty to 156 charges, including assault, rape, sexual exploitation of a child, and racketeering.
Zweni allegedly operated a prostitution ring with girls as young as 12 from the Inn Town Lodge, with the Rugnaths' consent and knowledge.
Gangai said there were calls between the Rugnaths and their former hotel manageress, Veena Budhram. She has turned State witness since she was arrested along with the five accused in 2012. He said there were calls between Budhram and Zweni.
Gangai told the court he expected to conclude the State's case by next Wednesday or Thursday.
The case was adjourned to Monday.
Sapa