My signature forged, claims co-accused

Willah Mudolo, one of Shepherd Bushiri’s alleged accomplices, has accused the department of correctional services of forging his signature on a document in which he confessed to having access to a cellphone while in custody.

This accusation formed part of Mudolo’s defence in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where he was applying for bail.

Mudolo, his wife Zethu, self-proclaimed prophet Bushiri and his wife Mary, as well as Landiwe Ntlokwana face charges of fraud, theft and money laundering over an investment scam that allegedly defrauded investors to the tune of R102 million.

Bushiri and his wife have since fled SA, returning to their homeland of Malawi after being granted bail last month.

Mudolo, a Zambian national, is the only accused still in custody after his wife and Ntlokwana were released on bail.

On Monday, the state led evidence that Mudolo had access to two cellphones while at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria.

One investigator in the case testified Mudolo had signed a document admitting he had a cellphone which was being used to WhatsApp a number of people, including an unknown person who claimed to have an advocate who could help facilitate a bribe to get him out of prison.

Through his attorney, Mudolo submitted a supplementary affidavit where he said he refuted the allegations he had a cellphone while being held in custody.

“I deny that I ever signed this document. I wish to point out that my signature was forged,” his attorney said while reading the affidavit into the court record.

He added he would hire a handwriting expert to examine the document. However, during cross-examination, the investigating officer pointed out that in one of the WhatsApp exchanges found on the cellphone, Mudolo was called by his name.

The defence put it to the officer it was easy to fake messages.

It also pointed out the High Court in Pretoria had ruled on the matter after an application was brought because Mudolo was transferred from the local remand centre to C-Max.

Mudolo was in a communal cell with around 40 other prisoners when he was allegedly caught with a cellphone.

He was then transferred to a single cell which was believed to be more secure. After allegedly being found in possession of another phone while in the single cell, he was then moved to C-Max.

I deny that I ever signed this document, I wish to point out that my signature was forged.