The case against two employees of North West businessman, Suliman Carrim, has been postponed to the 23rd of November at the Musina Regional Court in Limpopo. The postponement is to allow for a possible joinder of Carrim as a third accused, on a similar charge sheet. If successful, Carrim will appear alongside Musa Phiri and Zakes Ibrahim.
The two were arrested after the vehicles they were travelling in was intercepted at the Beitbridge Border Post in July. They were unable produce legitimate bank documents which authorised them to cross the border with vehicles still under finance.
The two employees returned for proceedings at the Musina Regional Court. They were called in separately to have the matter against them postponed. The one accused, Phiri, has informed his lawyers that he plans to enter into a plea arrangement.
“Your worship, I suggest that the 23rd would be suitable to enable us to prepare the plea statement because upon our discussion the state prosecutor indicated that they want to be provided with our statement to indicate indeed we are exonerating the accused intending to join as third party,” says Adv Mpho Rambevha, the defence counsel.
The other accused, Ibrahim, was next in the dock where his matter was also postponed. The new date was set, so as to allow for a joinder, where company director Carrim and his employees will appear side by side.
“There is also a possibility of a plea. The state has requested that this matter similarly be postponed for a joinder or a possible plea to the 23rd of November, as it pleases your worship,” says Jan Krut, Senior State Prosecutor.
It has also emerged in court on Monday, during submissions by the state, that three vehicles were involved on the day of the arrests of the two employees. One of those vehicles, according to the state, was meant to be used by the two to return to South Africa.
Meanwhile, a decision in the schedule five bail application by Carrim has been reserved to Monday at the Musina magistrate’s court.
Video: Carrim’s two workers back in court on attempted theft of vehicles, fraud and uttering charges