Conspiracy to kidnap case postponed again

The trial involving tow truck company owner Rowan Adamson (35) of Margate was recently heard in the Izingolweni Magistrate’s Court.

The case which was set down for three days was postponed to the end of October due to the recording equipment system not working.

This came after Adamson took to the witness box to testify.

Adamson is facing two charges of conspiracy to kidnap. He was arrested in May 2019 and released on R5 000 bail.

Alistair Grobbelaar, André Breedt and Lindani Raymond Mnguni, pleaded guilty in May 2019 to kidnapping beekeeper Yzelle Greyling, who spent some 10 hours bound and gagged in the boot of a car after being abducted at gunpoint in Umzumbe.

Before the state closed its case the last witness, Nicole Elliott was called to testify.

Elliott was reportedly one of the people on the list to be kidnapped by Grobbelaar, Breedt and Mnguni.

It is alleged that the kidnapping failed because Elliott did not come out of her house on the planned day.

Elliott testified that she did believe she was being watched by the men, and that they were aware of her movements.

State Prosecutor Byron Peek asked Elliott why, or how, she knew of any reasons as to why she would be a target for kidnapping.

Elliott replied that her sister had lost her leg in a botched operation many years ago and had been paid out a substantial sum of money.

“I believe they believed there was money,” she added.

Under cross examination by defence attorney Kingsley du Plessis, Elliott explained that she had known Adamson from the age of 18, so for about 20 years.

“I believe they wanted to kidnap me for quite a bit of money. Adamson was desperate, in need, and would take anything. He had asked my ex-husband and I to loan money on at least two occasions,” she said.

Elliott further explained that the couple had withdrawn themselves from their friendship with Adamson due to the harsh way they felt he was treating her best friend.

“We had physically seen with our own eyes what Adamson was doing to her and we didn’t want to be involved.”

Du Plessis said that Adamson will tell the court that he had no involvement in the kidnapping.

Elliott said she disagreed. “Why would they try to kidnap me, if he hadn’t told them to do it?”

Magistrate Levien Yengopal concluded the day’s proceedings by asking her is he thought Adamson was being implicated as a ‘big bad wolf’.

Elliott replied that she did believe Adamson was behind it.

“I know that Breedt had no job at the time and was really desperate for money. When he hit rock bottom Rowan approached them as it would be quick and easy money,” she said.

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