Forensic analysis of Dina Rodrigues’s handwriting had identified her as a suspect in the murder of six-month-old baby Jordan Leigh-Norton, the Cape High Court heard on Thursday.
Rodrigues was arrested when she arrived at work while her desk and office were being searched for more handwriting and signature specimens, investigating officer Captain Esmerald Bailey told the court.
Rodrigues is accused of masterminding the murder of Norton in June 2005.
She is on trial with Mongezi Bobotyana, Sipho Mfazwe, Zanethemba Gwada, and a minor who may not be named on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated armed robbery, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Bailey testified on Thursday that 16 freight weigh bills and other papers and documents containing Rodrigues’s handwriting and signature were taken in the surprise visit to Dulce Lume, where Rodrigues worked.
The additional documents had been required by the handwriting analyst.
She told the court she presented her search application to Cape Town senior magistrate Sam Maku that afternoon and got to Dulce Lume after 4pm.
Although Rodrigues was not there, the police team met her brother, Terry, who owned the business, and presented him with the search warrant. They asked him to contact his sister and instruct her to return urgently. Rodrigues was arrested when she arrived.
Under cross-examination, Bailey acknowledged that the names of police involved in a search-and-seizure operation had to be listed on the search warrant to restrict any invasion of privacy.
She conceded that the warrant to search Dulce Lume did not contain such a list and that people on the premises would not have known who was entitled to take part in the search.
The case continues on Monday. — Sapa