‘Tender’ used to lure slain DA man
A MESSAGE that was sent to apparently lure DA councillor Johannes Baatjies to a business meeting was retrieved from his cellphone following his murder.
Shuping Jeffrey Nouse accompanied Baatjies to the meeting, to discuss a supposed R800 000 tender, in Postmasburg on the evening of August 17 2016.
The next morning Baatjies’ body was discovered lying on the side of the road near Groenwater, with bullet wounds to the head, upper body and forehead.
Nouse was found injured, with gunshot wounds to the face, inside a Ford Ranger near Postmasburg High School.
The accused in the matter – Richard Hasane, Tshame Frank Baxane, Zonizelo Richard Magawu, Thompson Mncedisi Mphondomisa and Matthews Legodu – appeared in the Northern Cape High Court yesterday on charges of murder, kidnapping and the illegal possession of a .9mm firearm and ammunition.
The message on Baatjies’ cellphone, which was retrieved by crime intelligence and members of the police, instructed that Baatjies should come to the meeting alone on August 17 2016 at 6pm. He was ordered not to tell anyone about the offer.
“Jonathan”, who was named as the sender of the message, advised that should the deal succeed, he would be entitled to 10 percent of the proceeds of the R800 000 tender.
The name of the person who sent the message could not be traced on the database of service providers listed on the Tsantsabane Black Business Council register.
Rameo Frances Molelekeng, who was the standby detective in Postmasburg at the time of the incident, indicated that three cellphones (a Nokia and two Samsung handsets) from the two crime scenes were handed to him.
“I was not sure if the cellphones, which were off, were blocked with a pin number. I viewed the incoming, outgoing calls and messages of the cellphone that was still on, in search of clues that would assist with the investigation.”
Molelekeng indicated that one of the messages received on the cellphone spoke about a meeting that would take place near to or at the offices of Kolomela Mine, known as the hub.
“It was not specified whether the meeting would be held inside or nearby that venue. The message mentioned a tender to the value of R800 000, where the person who approved the deal would receive a 10 percent cut of the value if it went through.”
Molelekeng added that the owner of the phone was told not to bring anyone with him to the meeting.
He also stated that the cellphone found on the scene was used to call another phone number in order to retrieve the caller identity.
The legal representative for Magawu, Albert Buthelezi, pointed out that Baatjies was elected as a ward councillor in Danielskuil and was not entitled to receive any tenders from government.
“No one can send a message to say I am going to give you a tender. Government officials cannot receive tenders from government.”
The case continues before Northern Cape High Court Judge President Pule Tlaletsi.