A man accused of lying about who he really is will spend the rest of the year behind bars following last week's postponement of a car theft case against him.
A man accused of lying about who he really is will spend the rest of the year behind bars following last week's postponement of a car theft case against him. And the man, Gordon Hasim, has asked for co-accused Mxolisi Smith to be released, saying he takes full responsibility for any queries about ownership of the car the pair are accused of stealing.
Hasim and Smith appeared in the Grahamstown Magistrate's Court on car theft charges last week after Hasim had indicated in a previous appearance that he wished to abandon his bail application. This followed the shocking claim by the investigating officer that Hasim was, in fact, Bongani Jele.
Warrant Officer Robbie Roberts revealed that Jele had several pending warrants of arrest against him, including one of murder and rape, possession of an unlicensed firearm and theft of a car.
Hasim insisted he was not Jele and said he had never been charged with a crime.
When the magistrate postponed the case to next year, both men raised their hands and asked to address the court.
Smith complained that he had not been given the opportunity to apply for bail.
Hasim expressed concern about the fact that Smith had also been ordered to remain in custody until next year. Addressing the court, Hasim said, I take full responsibility for ownership of the car, I don't understand why this man has to suffer because up to this stage I have not heard anything implicating him in this case, he said.
The magistrate told Smith he could still apply for bail, even though the case would be heard only next year. The case was postponed to 22 February 2013 and both men remained in custody.
