Cape Town | Wednesday
A PACKED public gallery in the Cape High Court on Wednesday loudly applauded Judge John Foxcroft for acquitting Pagad’s chief co-ordinator Abdus Salaam Ebrahim and three co-accused for the murder of druglord Rashaad Staggie.
With Ebrahim in the dock were the organisation’s chief of security Salie Abader, Moegamat Mohamed and Abdur Razaak Ebrahim.
However, the judge convicted Abdus Ebrahim, Mohamed and Abdur Ebrahim on the charge of public violence.
Abader was found not guilty on both charges, and stepped out of the dock a free man.
On the murder charge, Foxcroft said the court accepted that all four were present at the murder scene during a mass Pagad march to Staggie’s home in Salt River in Cape Town in 1996.
However, their mere presence was not enough reason to convict them of murder, he said.
On the public violence charge, the judge said there might well have been a legitimate intent of the marchers to deliver a message at Staggie’s home, concerning his alleged drug dealing.
However, the judge said the leaders of the march must have realised the danger of violence breaking out was very great.
The judge said the firearms carried during the march could have been for the protection of the protesters or a show of force.
Spent cartridges from 74 different firearms were found at the scene.
Earlier, proceedings were moved from court two to court one because extra seating was needed for the public. The upper public gallery was packed to capacity with many people standing.
When the court adjourned for the morning tea break, people in the upper gallery started singing songs in support of the four accused.
There was a heavy police presence prior to proceedings. Police vehicles lined the streets and policemen guarded the ground floor entrances to the court. On the first floor outside the courtroom people who could not gain entry stood talking softly.
Police representative Captain Andre Traut said arrangements had been made to ensure the safety of judicial personnel, the public and also the prisoners.
Traut said additional policemen had been deployed in and around the court to ”ensure everything runs smoothly.” – Sapa
FEATURES:
Sentencing in Pagad case on Thursday March 6, 2002
B-grade movie exposs in Staggie trial June 6, 2001
Staggie murder suspect rearrested June 6, 2001
ZA*NOW:
Cloak and dagger cameras at Cape court October 30, 2001