The family of a murdered woman has accused the Witwatersrand attorney-general of delaying the prosecution of the alleged killer, a man suspected of being involved in a trade union scam, reports Stefaans Brummer
A FORMER security police captain allegedly at the centre of a “dirty tricks” operation against a trade union, and who is a prime suspect in the brutal slaying of his wife, has skipped the country while judicial authorities delayed his prosecution.
Michael Bellingan (36), who was discharged from the police on “medical grounds” last August, was found responsible on May 6 by a Johannesburg inquest court for the 1991 death of his wife, Janine.
The Mail & Guardian has learnt reliably that Bellingan left South Africa for New Zealand together with his new wife — who is still in the employ of the South African Police Service — and two young children from his marriage with Janine Bellingan. He left South Africa on or around May 29 after selling his luxury home in Johannesburg.
Bellingan had visited New Zealand shortly before the inquest — a fact known to the police.
Janine Bellingan (35), who had been considering getting a divorce after five years of unhappy marriage, was found bludgeoned to death in the couple’s Gallo Manor, Johannesburg, home on September 21 1991.
The murder investigation, which was plagued by alleged obstruction and cover-ups, opened a hornet’s nest of allegations about the fraudulent diversion of cheques addressed to at least one trade union, the National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa), by security police members. (See accompanying story.)
Prior to her death, Janine Bellingan collected evidence on her husband’s activities as a security policeman, including his alleged involvement in the Numsa scam. After the murder, police found a bag containing documentation and bloodied clothing she had left in a locker at work. She had told a friend to alert police to the bag in case of her death.
Michael Bellingan was a prime suspect, but he had a seemingly impregnable alibi: he had been in Durban on a police course. At the inquest it emerged his whereabouts could not be vouched for during a number of crucial hours during the night of the murder.
Witwatersrand attorney-general Klaus von Lieres und Wilkau this week confirmed he had “heard” Bellingan was in New Zealand, but said: “Hearing and knowing are two different things.”
However, a source confirmed that South African authorities knew “exactly” how to reach Bellingan in New Zealand, should the need arise for a summons to be served.
News that Bellingan is overseas has added insult to injury for those who argue there were undue delays in getting Bellingan to face justice.
Family members of Janine Bellingan have gone on record saying Von Lieres failed repeatedly to deliver on promises of a speedy resolution to the case.
The inquest also heard claims that the police investigation had been obstructed. Crucial forensic evidence had allegedly been tampered with and finally went missing from the police forensic laboratory in Pretoria.
Investigating officer Major Willie Steyn — who has received several death threats –testified he was denied access to police witnesses in Natal.
Sources said Von Lieres was informed of Bellingan’s alleged involvement within days of the murder, and by the end of 1991 police announced themselves confident of an imminent arrest. A full docket was delivered to Von Lieres’ office in February last year, but still no decision was taken to prosecute.
Former Democratic Party leader Zach de Beer brought the case to the attention of President FW de Klerk and Justice Minister Kobie Coetsee around October last year.
An inquest was finally ordered by Von Lieres this year. He said this week he was “not much bothered” by the long delay between the murder and the inquest. “We always kept in mind that additional evidence could come in.”
He said his office had to wait for the typed records of the inquest before considering a decision, and that had taken a long time because of the lengthy inquest.
Von Lieres said South Africa had no extradition treaty with New Zealand, but that his office was investigating the use of a Commonwealth extradition mechanism that had become available when South Africa rejoined that body.
Bellingan’s attorney, Paul Leisher, proclaimed his client’s innocence this week, saying he was sure Bellingan would return if summonsed.
He said his client had left for New Zealand as “they destroyed him here”.
Bellingan is rumoured to have received a “golden handshake” when he left the police. An intelligence source estimated the normal medical discharge package at between R120 000 and
R130 000, in addition to a monthly pension of perhaps R3 000. An additional gratuity could have been paid as well.
An Old Mutual spokesman confirmed Bellingan had received a payout from a life assurance policy on his wife after her death.