THE prosecutor, court orderlies and clerks had roles to play in destroying dockets at the East London Madistrates Court.
This is according to Detective David Montshojang, who’s investigating a prosecutor at the same court.
He testified on Friday, 22 January.
Dumisa Kumbaca (51), charged with soliciting a R25 000 tjotjo from a drunk driving accused to have the docket destroyed, has pleaded not guilty.
Montshojang, who works at the anti-corruption unit, said his office was notified on 8 August of missing dockets at the court.
One of the dockets was reconstructed, placed back on the roll, and the accused subpoenaed.
He said Kumbaca was a police captain before joining the National Prosecuting Authority.
He didn’t know how long Kumbaca worked for the police, or when he joined the NPA.
The drunk driving case involved a person who works at the director-general’s office.
“The information was that the complainant was applying for jobs and didn’t want the arrest to affect that. He ended up paying R20 000.
After the complainant was approached he co-operated with the police.
“He felt a bit of a victim because he had paid a sum of R20 000 but was still being charged,” said Montshojang.
His drunk driving case was set for 12 January and Kumbaca advised him to meet with him on 11 January.
“He was informed not to bring his legal team,” said Montshojang.
Montshojang had wired the complainant with recording and video devices. After the suspect had told the complainant he’d destroy the reconstructed docket, he allegedly asked for more money, saying someone on the inside would want a share.
“We were monitoring the situation from a distance. We saw them driving to a bushy area. He said he’s going to withraw the case the following day,” said Montshojang.
The bail application was cut short on Friday because of a power outage.
It will resume on 5 February.
