No proof of bribe to Cape Town cop
A man who alleges a police official asked for a bribe so as not to oppose his release on bail, has admitted in court that he has no proof of the bribe.
|||Cape Town - A man who alleges a police official asked for a bribe so as not to oppose his release on bail, has no proof of the bribe, a court in Cape Town heard on Wednesday.
Mervin Samuels testified in the trial of former police warrant officer Shaun Davids, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of corruption.
Davids is on trial in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Bellville, before magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg.
Samuels was cross-examined by defence advocate Janine Boltman.
He told the court that Davids was the investigating officer in a case in which Samuels was fined R10 000 for the illegal possession of crayfish, as well as rock lobster eggs.
After his arrest, he and his accomplice were remanded for seven days pending their bail application.
Samuels alleged that, whilst in custody, Davids had asked for R5 000 so as not to oppose their application, but family of his co-accused had only managed to raise R3 000, which Davids had accepted.
He said he was arrested on November 12, 2014 in the crayfish matter, and was released on R5 000 bail on November 27.
He was later fined the R10 000, which he paid.
Samuels told the court he knew about the R3 000 payment, because Davids himself had confirmed it to him whilst Samuels was still in custody.
Questioned about it, Samuels said he had no proof of the payment, other than what Davids had told him.
Samuels added: “I was not present when the R3 000 was given to the accused, and I have no proof of it.”
The person who had paid the bribe did not wish to get involved in the case, Samuels told the court.
Questioned about his background, Samuels said he had a criminal record.
Pressed about whether his record was in fact gang-related, he replied: “It’s related to criminal activities”.
At a previous hearing, Samuels told of Davids’ eagerness to attend a police “spanbou” party.
He told the court that Davids was required to contribute R1 000 for the event, and he alleged that Davids kept nagging him for the money.
He said he was penniless after the R10 000 fine, and the persistent nagging caused him to approach another police official about it.
The case continues on May 16.
African News Agency
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