State will rely on Rasuge case for Abadiga murder charge
The National Prosecuting Authority says it's not yet able to disclose how it arrived at murder charges against 11 out of 12 members of the South African Defence Force in the case of two missing Islamic State-linked Ethiopian nationals.
Twelve members of the defence force face are applying for bail in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, where they face charges of abduction, theft, and murder, including the killing of Hawks senior officer Frans Mathipa while investigating the alleged abductions.
READ: 12 SANDF members arrested for Hawks investigator’s murder
Suspected ISIS leader Abdella Abadiga and his right-hand man Kadir Abotese were last seen when they were allegedly abducted at the Mall of Africa, in Midrand, in December 2022.
In their bail statements, the accused denied knowing Abediga, further claiming that he was known to “disappear” and fake his death.
They maintained that the state did not have a solid case against them and that the likelihood of their acquittal at trial was high.
Asked how the state will prove the Abadiga and Abetese are no longer alive, NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said more details would be revealed once the prosecution has an opportunity to respond in court.
“We are not in a position to share much of the information not yet presented in court, however, I can just give a hint to say that we will be relying on the case of Francis Rasuge.”
Rasuge’s partner, William Nkuna, was convicted of her 2004 murder despite his refusal to disclose the location of her remains.
Her remains were found 12 years later, when construction workers who were renovating one of Nkuna’s old properties discovered human bones.
BACK IN COURT ON THURSDAY
The matter was postponed to Thursday to allow the investigating officer to verify the addresses of the accused.
Meanwhile, it emerged that the 13th accused in the matter is an entity. However, few details about it are available at this stage after the court made an order for the identities of the accused to be withheld.
“We have 13 accused in total. Twelve individuals, as well as an entity. The matter has now been postponed, allowing the investigator to verify the addresses that have been provided by the accused persons before the court when they were presenting evidence via affidavits. So, we are back on Thursday,” Mjonondwane explained.
“I’m not certain when the investigating officer will conclude the process of the identity parade, but the court has made an order for all of the accused not to be named, including the entity. Much of that information will unfold once those investigations have been finalised.”
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