Childsex trial continues

The trial of Durban doctor Genchen Rugnath, his wife Ravina and three others accused of charges related to human trafficking and of keeping a brothel where children as young as 12 were kept is expected to continue in the Durban Regional Court on Friday.

 

On Thursday, The Star newspaper reported that Anand Nepaul, for Rugnath and the four co-accused, disputed the authenticity of an affidavit by an investigating officer, which could deem evidence pertaining to the search at the Inn Town Lodge inadmissible.

 

According to the newspaper, there were discrepancies between the commissioned statement and the affidavit the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Cyril Freese, said he presented to the chief magistrate to authorise the warrant.

 

Nepaul reportedly told the court on Wednesday that he found 14 differences between the copy obtained from Freese and the commissioned affidavit - which should be exactly the same save for the signature of the commissioner of oaths.

 

Nepaul argued that the commissioned statement was created after the search warrant was obtained and commissioned by Warrant Officer Bonginkosi Magwaza, who is the investigating officer in respect of a drug operation at Inn Town Lodge, the paper reported.

 

Rugnath owns the Down Town Lodge and the Inn Town Lodge, where the alleged offences took place.

 

All five including co-accused Sandile Patrick Zweni, 36, Nonduzo Dlamini, 24, and Bhabha Dubazini have pleaded not guilty to 156 charges, including assault, rape, sexual exploitation of a child, and racketeering.

 

The trial continues.

 

-Sapa