Court cleared to protect intelligence cop

A TRIPLE-murder trial in the Port Elizabeth High Court took an about-turn yesterday when people in the public gallery – including the media – were barred from attending.

Streets surrounding the Central building had been blocked off since Monday, with a heavy police presence setting the tone for the high-profile, gang-related case.

State prosecutor Mujaahid Sandan requested yesterday that the matter be heard in a closed court as the safety of a crime intelligence officer due to testify was a major concern.

“The witness is still actively involved in investigations. There could be consequences to his safety,” Sandan said.

The witness, who is not being named by order of the court, was to testify on evidence obtained through the intercepted phone calls of the men accused of the September 2015 triple murder.

Alleged gang kingpin Wendell Petersen, 30, Jermaine “Dolf” Mitchell, 30, Glynn “Boudt/Holland” Carelson, 30, Robin “Milo” Taylor, 21 and Graham “Gram” Kammies, 35, have all been charged with three counts of murder, three counts of conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The men, all alleged members of the Dustlifes gang, allegedly went on a killing spree on September 14 2015, killing Theodore “Tupac” Matthews, Rajen Naidoo and Jermain “Jabilo” Essau. They have all pleaded not guilty.

Advocate Richard Crompton, representing Carelson, said yesterday he would object to the testimony by the witness because the phone number intercepted was registered in someone else’s name.

Judge Mandela Makaula said he could not rule on the objection until he had heard what the evidence was.

The trial continues.