A foreign national sat with his head buried in his hands after being denied bail in the Roodepoort Regional court earlier this week.
Harrison Anyaeji (39) from Weltevreden Park was found in possession of drugs worth an estimated street value of R362 270, Regional Court prosecutor, Azwililwelwi Ronald Sithada said in court. Defense lawyer, Moleko Ratau applied for bail on behalf of his client because Anyaeji feels he does not pose a flight risk to the public and he has not threatened anyone.
Ratau told the court that Anyaeji is innocent and he had nothing to do with the drugs. According to his affidavit that was read-out in court by Ratau, a woman in his complex asked him to pick up a parcel from the gate. He agreed and fetched the parcel not knowing what was inside it. As he walked back with the parcel in his hand, the police, acting on a tip-off from the community, approached and arrested him.
It is understood that Anyaeji is allegedly part of a syndicate smuggling cocaine from America into the country. He has been trying to get bail since his arrest on 17 March.
Ratau, mentioned that Anyaeji has R10 000 available to pay for his bail and when Roodepoort Regional Magistrate, Ruby Matthys, asked him where he got this money from, Ratau said his family from Nigeria gave it to him.
Gertrude Bless, his life-partner, testified as a witness for the defense.
Anyaeji is in the country legally and has been staying here for about eight years.
Cross-examination heated up between Sithada and Bless when asked where exactly they live and whether Anyaeji signed a lease or not for the house they are renting in Weltevreden Park.
“I put it to you that Kevin Honeyball is the leaser. Would you say no to that?” Sithada asked. Bless replied no to this question.
Karen Jacobs, spokesperson for the Honeydew Police Station said they (the offenders) would say anything to get bail and the police are not aware of Kevin Honeyball or anything related to a lease signed by Honeyball or Anyaeji.
Another suspect is yet to be arrested, Sithada told the court. Jacobs said the suspect will be apprehended soon.
Before concluding that Anyaeji will not be granted bail, Matthys said, “there is a likelihood the accused will commit similar offences should he be released on bail.”
The trial will start on 5 June.
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