Case postponed against seven men implicated in the kidnapping of eight-year-old, Abirah Dekhta

The case against the seven men implicated in the kidnapping of eight-year-old Abirah Dekhta in Gatesville, has been postponed to January 2023

The accused, aged between 25 and 47, appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates Court on Monday, 12 December 2022.

Abirah was kidnapped from her scholar transport on her way to school in Rylands, in November.

“Counsel for accused five and six is applying for the disclosure of the docket to them, and I think counsel for accused three and four is also asking for warning statements to be made available,’’ said Eric Ntabazalila, National Prosecuting Authority provincial spokesperson.

“The application has been postponed to January 12, because we were not aware that they were going to bring such an application. We will be able to respond after that, after we’ve seen what they are asking for, which is likely to be possible because we’ll not be able to respond immediately.”

Ntabazalila said the accused plan to bring bail applications on 18 January.

All the accused have now secured legal representation, and are charged under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) for being a part of a gang.

According to IOL, accused two has been charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances, and all have been charged with kidnapping-alternatively human trafficking, attempted extortion and contravention of the Cybercrime Act.

“They will apply for bail on January 18, that’s why they’re bringing a bail application, but we’ll oppose it,” Ntabazalila said.

 

Done By: Mitchum George