Man denies robbing city gem dealer

THE MAN accused of robbing a Kimberley diamond dealer at gunpoint of diamonds, cash and jewellery worth more than R1 million at her home in Monument Heights in 2013, remains adamant that he “had nothing to do with the incident”.

Skikombisa Shiviti stands accused of aggravated robbery after allegedly robbing well-know Kimberley businesswoman, Antonella Florio-Poone, at gunpoint of R20 000 cash, diamonds to the value of R100 000 and watches to the value of R1 million.

Florio-Poone on Friday concluded her evidence as State witness in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court.

She had testified that she had received a call from a man who claimed that he had a 12 carat diamond he wanted to sell her and that he was waiting at the gate in front of her house.

Florio-Poone found two men at the gate and she led them into her home office.

The two men then allegedly pointed firearms at her demanded “money and diamonds”. The two men made off with cash, a collection of watches and diamonds after tying Florio-Poone up and locking her in the bathroom.

Florio-Poone assisted police in compiling an identikit and Shiviti was later arrested, together with three other accused, against whom charges were later withdrawn.

While under cross-examination by Shiviti’s legal representative, Leon Joubert, Florio-Poone remained adamant that it was Shiviti who was in her house at the time of the incident and that he had pointed a firearm at her.

Joubert put it to Florio-Poone that his client, while admitting to being in Kimberley on the day of Antonella Florio-Poone, the victim. Skikombisa Shiviti, the accused.

the incident, doing “dealings at a local scrapyard”, denied being in her house or knowing anything about the incident.

Responding to this statement, Florio-Poone answered by saying, “That is not the truth, that is his version. I can confirm that he was in my house and did point a gun at me (on the day of the incident),”

The trial was postponed to February next year.