ARRESTED BUSINESSMAN’S CAR RELEASED

MANZINI –The businessman who was arrested after being found in possession of a gold bar valued at E1.8 million has had his vehicle, a Range Rover, released from the police station.

A month after its detention, the Range Rover valued at E620 000 was released yesterday at 4pm from the police station.
The suspect, Lawrence Sipho Dludlu (42), made an application to the magistrates court prosecution through his attorney, Simo Simelane of SP Mamba Attorneys to have the vehicle released.

The attorney had confirmed that Dludlu needed his vehicle to be released to his possession as he used it on a daily basis and there was no evidence that the vehicle had been used to transit the said gold found by the police.
Simelane yesterday told the court that the vehicle had to be released as it was due for service last week and his client stood to lose the free holiday service afforded at the Land-Rover dealership through its continued detention at the police station.

“The accused person has instructed me to move an application for the unconditional release of the vehicle pending the finalisation of the matter. The vehicle is now due for service in South Africa and as part of the sale contract, the suspect is expected to bring the vehicle from time to time as an indication that it is due,” the attorney informed the court
Simelane further stated that if the vehicle was not handed over to its dealership, then his client stood to lose the said contract. The attorney also mentioned that his client would abide by the vehicle fixed conditions, which is not to dispose of it pending the finalisation of trial.

“My client will not distort or interfere with its physical appearance and other features. He also fundamentally undertakes to bring the vehicle each time the court requires it and not take it out of its jurisdiction,” Simelane continued.

Senior Public Prosecutor Sandile Mdluli informed the court that the Crown had no objection on the application for the release of the vehicle by the defence as long as the suspect would abide by the conditions advanced by the attorney.

Principal Magistrate David Khumalo said as the Crown had not opposed the application, the vehicle would be released to the custody of the suspect on the conditions proposed by the defence. “The court will, however, add two more conditions that are going to apply after the release of the vehicle and before the matter is brought to finality, it shall not be used as security for any debt or to be offered as a pledge,” the principal magistrate said.

The principal magistrate further stated that the vehicle was also not to be bonded in anyway or situation. The magistrate sternly warned the attorney that the conditions were serious. Simelane then assured the court that he would duly prepare a court order for all the concerned parties on the said conditions.

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