PC theft suspect ‘feared for life’

THE man arrested in connection with the theft of computers at the Chief Justice’s offices says police told his family he should skip the country or they would kill him if they found him.

Nkosinathi Msimango‚ 34‚ told the Randburg Magistrate’s Court during his bail application yesterday that he discarded one of his three cellphones after he received messages warning him that his life was at risk, and after police told his children that if they found him they would kill him.

“When I was arrested‚ the police told me that I am lucky because if they had found me first they would have killed me‚” Msimango said.

Msimango‚ who took the stand in his bail application‚ told the court that when he handed himself to police two weeks ago‚ one of the police officers‚ who took him for were looking for him but he evaded arrest.

“It is likely that he will be sentenced to direct imprisonment if found guilty.”

Moody said Msimango had connections with people who could make fictitious documents, as one of the men arrested in connection with the same case was allegedly found with fake identity documents. “The state is aware that the accused has rights‚ but his rights are outweighed by the value of the information contained in the computers‚” Moody’s affidavit reads.

Moody added that Msimango’s release would cause a public outcry.

“The motive for the theft of the computers is unknown, except that a judge’s house was broken into.”

According to Moody‚ more arrests were imminent and police were analysing video footage and waiting for DNA and fingerprint results.

The bail application continues. — TMG