Alleged fraudster Jurgen Harksen was offered protection to testify before the Desai Commission, but now that it was over he should return to jail where he would be safe, the Justice Ministry said on Thursday.
Justice Ministry representative Paul Setsetse said that since the commission’s hearings had been finalised ”he (Harksen) is no longer covered by the protection arrangement”.
”He must go back to Goodwood Prison. Prison is the safest place for him now.”
Setsetse was commenting on Harksen’s claim that his lawyer phoned Justice Minister Penuell Maduna in May this year to say the German would not testify before the Desai Commission unless he was put on the Witness Protection Programme.
Setsetse confirmed that Maduna had received a call from the lawyer, but denied Harksen had received special treatment.
He said many people contacted the minister and department for help. These included people involved in taxi conflicts. The department would facilitate contact with the relevant authorities.
The Witness Protection Act had not been by-passed and Harksen’s lawyer merely wanted an ”assurance at the highest level about the safety of his client,” Setsetse said.
Maduna had the overall political responsibility for the Witness Protection Programme, which was now under the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
The bottom line was that Harksen should return to prison until he could be extradited ”to where he is most wanted”.
Noting that Harksen had appealed his extradition order, Setsetse said: ”Eventually he will be extradited. Hopefully he will be sent away and we will have peace of mind.”
On Thursday, Harksen brought an urgent application in the Cape High Court to prevent the authorities sending him back to the Goodwood prison.
Judgement is expected on Friday. – Sapa