Break-in won’t scare Montecasino murder prosecutor
Armed robbery at officer’s home revealed as two appear in Blom trial
SECURITY surrounding investigators and prosecutors in the so-called Montecasino murder has been amplified, after a police investigator was attacked in his home by criminals allegedly searching for the case’s dockets.
Dustan Blom was found dead in the boot of his car at Montecasino in Fourways last year. He had been left there for at least two days after he went missing from the Dros restaurant in Olivedale.
The armed robbery at the officer’s home was revealed in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday during the appearance of two suspects – suspected drug dealer JP Malan and former stripper Maruschka Robinson – believed to be responsible for Blom’s death.
According to prosecutor Yusuf Baba, two unidentified criminals broke into the officer’s home last Friday night, allegedly searching for two dockets relating to Blom: the murder docket against Malan and Robinson, and a fraud case against four other accused who are alleged to have stripped Blom’s bank accounts.
Brothers Louis and Heinrich Coetzee, Ian Manyika and Alex de Kooker were arrested late last year for allegedly defraud- ing Blom of more than R120 000.
When the two intruders were unable to secure the documents, they fled the house, but not before stealing a few valuables from the home, including the officer’s identification badge.
Baba assured the court that the case dockets were not in the hands of the prosecutor or investigating officer, and a task team were now investigating both cases. “We will not be intimidated by these actions.”
The proceedings were watched over by a group of at least four Tactical Response Team officers, who are to remain on watch when the case proceeds in March.
Robinson, who has spent several months in prison, wore a low-cut black top that revealed a cross tattoo on her back. Malan had abandoned his skinhead look.
The case was postponed to March 26 for Malan to apply for bail. On the same day, the four fraud accused will appear in the same court.
When the four other suspects were expected to appear before the court, the court was told that De Kooker, who remains in custody, had not been brought to court because of a mix-up by the Department of Correctional Services.
Meanwhile, the State awaits outstanding toxicology and DNA results. In addition, voice recordings that emerged during the fraud investigation are to be used in the prosecution of Robinson and Malan.