INLSA
Attorney Koobashan Naicker and his partner Patti Pillay leave the Durban Magistrates Court after appearing for his bail inquiry. Picture: Zanele Zulu
Attorney Koobashan Naicker, who is charged with murder relating to a fatal crash on Athlone bridge, Durban North, was allegedly seen behind the wheel of a vehicle in direct defiance of his bail conditions as recently as last week.
The fresh allegations come after Naicker was re-arrested last month for breaking his bail conditions and warned by a magistrate that his bail would be revoked if |he failed to comply with the court’s directives.
Naicker is charged with three counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Gillian Bell, |her son Connor, 8, and dancer Carmen Hunter in a crash on Athlone bridge in March last year.
He also faces five attempted murder charges in connection with the crash and a number of other charges, including drunk driving, related to incidents in 2009 and 2010.
He was granted bail of R10 000 last year on condition that he surrender his driver’s licence to the State and refrain from driving.
Yesterday, during his bail inquiry, State witness Jennifer Coetzee testified that she had seen Naicker driving in the Pinetown area last week Tuesday.
State advocate Vani Govender said four witnesses would testify that they had seen Naicker driving in the Pinetown area.
Coetzee, of the Care Bears child care facility, testified that she had regularly seen Naicker driving a white Toyota Condor, transporting children to the Pinefields Play |Centre.
“Both Care Bears and Pinefields centres are on the same road, so I often used to see a man driving the Condor used by Pinefields.”
She said she recognised Naicker as the person driving the Condor from a picture of him shown to her by the investigating officer, Captain K Pillay.
Earlier in the proceedings, Naicker’s advocate, Jay Naidoo, withdrew from the matter after magistrate Anita Govender refused his application for a postponement.
Naicker’s attorney, Leo Govender, stepped in and took over the case but, after Coetzee’s testimony, said he would need time to consult with his client.
“I have to properly prepare to cross-examine the witness. Various dates were mentioned by the witness and I have tried to establish the whereabouts of my client on those occasions but it has been difficult to adequately consult with him today (Wednesday). He also informs me that he has an alibi for last week Tuesday.”
The case was adjourned to May 22 and Naicker is out on bail.
