Officer Busta Busta released after night in jail

PPEAK – Police officer Sergeant Busta Vilakati is a free man, at least for now.

He was arrested for allegedly damaging a Pigg’s Peak Civic Centre door valued at about E32 000.

Yesterday, Busta appeared at the Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Court accompanied by his Lawyer Veli Ndzinisa. He arrived while being driven in a truck belonging to His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS).

Throngs of sympathisers were at the court and they spent nearly an hour waiting for a magistrate to see Vilakati. However, Vilakati was not seen by any of the magistrates for remand as is the norm for court matters.

Release

Ndzinisa, the lawyer, said his client would be returned to the police station so that the police could fix certain aspects of the matter. He also said he would negotiate for the release of his client for now. “He cannot run away and I am confident he will report to the police when they need him,” said Ndzinisa.

Just as Ndzinisa had indicated, Vilakati was released from police custody. Vilakati said he was advised that he should return to the police station on Tuesday.

After his release, he said he was surprised that he was arrested, yet there was no complainant mentioned in the matter. He said

Police officer Busta Vilakati after he was released from police custody.

this was strange because, under normal circumstances, a charge had to have a complainant. “This means the charge was made up by the police,” Vilakati stated.

The suspended police officer said he would plead not guilty in the matter, because he was already inside the building when the glass door was damaged. He said he was allowed to enter the building while others were locked out because he was the secretary.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, confirmed that Vilakati was released on his own cognisance. “He will appear before the court on Tuesday,” she said.