Riverstone cop suspect could conceal evidence'

MBABANE – The cop alleged to have been involved in the Riverstone Mall heist is alleged to have been one of the investigators of the robbery.

This is contained in the state’s papers where it is opposing Constable Mfundo Tsabedze’s bail application. It has been stated that it would not be proper to have Tsabedze admitted to bail, because he might intimidate witnesses and conceal evidence.

Detective Harman Dlamini, the investigating officer of the heist, has told the High Court not to grant Tsabedze his liberty. He argued that since Tsabedze was a police officer attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), he was better placed to destroy evidence against him with ease.

Dlamini alleged that while Tsabedze was in the CID, he at some point conducted investigations on the same case for which he was arrested.

"This, therefore, places him in a position where he has full knowledge of the evidence against him and the witnesses who may testify against him, which he may conceal and destroy.

"I further submit that the applicant (Tsabedze) is well aware of the identity of some of the witnesses as he did interview some of them," Investigating Officer Dlamini stated in an affidavit. On Tsabedze’s argument that he was not on the scene when the crime was committed, but at work, Dlamini said it was untrue.

Dlamini further quashed Tsabedze’s denial that the pistol used in the shooting was not his.

He said there was evidence that Tsabedze’s service pistol bearing the number PO5550 was used in the commission of the offence on July 2, 2012.

Tsabedze, in his bail application, had said his service pistol bearing number PO666 was in his possession on the day in question.

Tsabedze was charged with murder, attempted murder, theft and defeating the course of justice. He had argued that the charges were ambiguous, because they stipulated that he shot and murdered, when he was never on the scene.

Dlamini said the charges preferred against Tsabedze were holding charges which could be changed anytime before the trial. Tsabedze also denied ever stealing laptops.

He had said the laptops were found at the Manzini Police Station. Dlamini said whether or not stolen items were recovered did not mean that an offence had not been committed. He also claimed that not all the stolen laptops were recovered.

"I submit that there is overwhelming evidence which proves that applicant did commit this offence," Dlamini said. The bail application will be heard tomorrow before the High Court.

　

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