Video drama kicks off O’Sullivan kidnapping trial

Forensic consultant Paul O’Sullivan and former colleague Melissa Naidu’s kidnapping trial in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court began with a concession from the state over the use of video and audio material yesterday.

The recordings were allegedly made when O’Sullivan interviewed former Bobroff Attorneys employee and complainant Cora van der Merwe over material she had allegedly been feeding to people outside the firm.

Prosecutor advocate Jabulani Mlotshwa said he would not contest the three video segments and audio material being presented in court, as long at the defence proved their authenticity.

However, the defence’s case took a nasty turn when it was revealed the videos, which had been shown in court, were only copies.

Magistrate Ndivhuwo Sethusha put her foot down and refused to let defence advocate Zirk Pansegrouw continue questioning Van der Merwe on the video footage.

The footage was filmed at O’Sullivan’s offices and showed Van der Merwe talking on her cellphone to her legal representative, being allowed to leave the conference room to do so.

The abandoning of the key video evidence may not be the end of the world for O’Sullivan’s defence as he still has the original audio recording.

O’Sullivan and Naidu are accused of kidnapping Van der Merwe in order extort a statement or information from her while investigating a leak of information from the chambers of Ronald Bobroff & Partners.

They have denied the charges. The case continues tomorrow.