A black T-shirt helped identify William Nkuna as the man withdrawing money from missing constable Frances Rasuge’s account days after she disappeared, the Mmabatho Circuit Court heard on Thursday.
The man captured on bank surveillance cameras withdrawing money from Rasuge’s account at an ATM was Nkuna, investigating officer Captain Tsietsi Mmano said at Nkuna’s trial for her murder.
In my opinion the person appearing in the pictures… that person is the accused before this honourable court,” Mmano said.
The prosecution produced a black, long sleeved T-shirt with white stripes on the shoulders, which Mmano said was very similar to the one the man in the pictures was wearing.
Mmano said the shirt was the same one Nkuna had willingly handed to him when police searched his home in Themba on July 21 this year.
On Wednesday, Absa fraud investigator Shaun Niewoudt produced the photos taken by bank surveillance cameras at the ATMs in the Pretoria city centre.
He testified that the times appearing on the surveillance cameras and records of transactions made from the ATMs corresponded with withdrawals made from Rasuge’s account after she disappeared on August 27 last year.
Defence attorney Post Moloto said Nkuna would testify that on July 21 this year, police searched his home without informing him why, did not produce a search warrant, found nothing and left.
Mmano denied this and re-affirmed his testimony to the state, saying a warrant was produced and its contents explained to Nkuna.
Police searched and found nothing in his wardrobe, after which Nkuna led them to a laundry basket, found the black T-shirt and handed it over to them, said Mmano.
Rasuge was last seen alive on August 27 last year in the company of Nkuna at a hair salon in Themba.
Although her body has not been found, the authorities presume her dead.
The trial continues on Friday. – Sapa