Cape Town - The State’s focus in the bail application of three men accused of a triple murder in Victoria Lodge in March this year, seems squarely aimed at alleged People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad G-force) breakaway group leader, Muhsin Barendse.
Ishmael Amardien, Ebrahim Barendse and his brother, Yusuf Barendse, on Thursday appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court for the continuation of their bail application.
They face three counts of murder and four of attempted murder, following their arrest on September 8.
Their arrest comes after a breakthrough by anti-gang unit detectives investigating the murder of Ricardo de Jager, Thys Meyer and Adenaan Jacobs, who were shot and killed at Victoria Lodge informal settlement on March 30, this year.
Anti-gang unit detective Camilla Jones on Thursday was able to defend herself against allegations of intimidation and the wrongful arrest of witnesses, as State advocate Nathan Adriaanse read her affidavit opposing bail into the record.
The affidavit mentions “Moegsien Barendse” as a central figure in their investigation. He was arrested last week for intimidation of witnesses and has since been charged.
He is due to appear in court on November 9 for his bail application to continue, while he and his sons remain in custody.
In an affidavit deposed to by Barendse, he claimed that a number of witnesses had been intimidated by Jones and forced to give statements incriminating his sons.
Jones said: “I was shocked to my core when I heard the allegations levelled against me in the affidavits, but I can confirm that the names of the people mentioned are all State witnesses.”
She said from her investigation it seemed that what had “set the ball in motion” for the triple murder began on March 26, 2022 when Barendse was seen with two men allegedly assaulting another two men in retaliation for an assault on one his friends.
He had apparently been wielding a shotgun on the day and had been arrested, but the charges were later withdrawn after mediation and an apology.
She said that on the day of the murder a white double cab with no number plates had been seen driving away from the scene, but one of the Barendse brothers had been placed at the scene.
He had arrived in a white Toyota Hilux minutes after the gunmen had fled the scene. She said that, according to the witness, he had taken pictures of the crime scene.
“This is confirmed by numerous witnesses, who all confirm his presence at the scene, as well as further state that he took photographs of the deceased with his cellphone,” Jones said.
She said that “identifying witnesses” also said Barendse had been seen having an argument with De Jager a few days before he was killed.
Jones went on to dispute all allegations against her, saying witnesses had been taken into custody but subsequently released. She denied she had at any stage assaulted or intimidated them, but had noticed the fear witnesses seemed to have for Barendse.
“The witnesses’ lives in this matter are in grave danger. This is not only a case where there is a likelihood of influencing the witnesses, but a case where there is a likelihood of serious harm being done to the witnesses if the applicants are released on bail,” she said.
Last week, the Barendse brothers both produced alibi statements in support of their release on bail.
Ebrahim Barendse said in his affidavit that he had been with his girlfriend until 11pm.
“On the day of the incident, I was with my girlfriend at her residence in Wynberg. We were sitting in my vehicle when we heard gunshots in the distance.”
His brother Yusuf said: “On the date of the incident, I was at home with my mother, father and one of my father’s employees.”
The matter was postponed to November 9 for argument.