Flip-flop testimony of Phala Phala 'driver' could lead to trial within a trial

702's John Perlman is joined by Thabiso Goba, reporter for Eyewitness News (EWN). 

Wednesday marked the second day of the Phala Phala burglary trial playing out in the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo.

Three suspects are on trial for allegedly breaking into buildings on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s game farm in February 2020 and stealing the infamous $580,000 in cash hidden in a couch.

RELATED: Phala Phala: Housekeeper unsure one of the accused had access to room where money was kept

In the hot seat on Wednesday was the man who allegedly transported the robbers from Limpopo to Gauteng. He cannot be named as the the State prosecutor has invoked section 189 of the Criminal Procedure Act in this case, which deals with uncooperative witnesses.

The flip flopping testimony of the suspect led to the State prosecutor cross-examining his own witness, EWN's ThabisoGoba reports.

On the stand, the man testified that after he'd dropped off the alleged robbers, he was paid R7,000.

However, in an earlier police statement, he'd said he was paid a much larger amount in US dollars.

"R7,000 and $30,000 - that's a big discrepancy, so the State prosecutor wants to invoke Section 39 of the Criminal Procedure Act - they are basically treating him as a hostile witness."

Thabiso Goba, Reporter - Eyewitness News

The suspect testified that he'd been threatened and felt under pressure when he made his written statement to police.

"It does look like we might now have a trial within a trial, in order to determine whether his earlier police statement can be admitted into evidence or not, because he is implying he made that statement under duress."

Thabiso Goba, Reporter - Eyewitness News

Listen to Goba's update in the interview audio at the top of the article

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