Charges withdrawn in missing Sodwana Bay skipper case

THERE was uproar in a packed Manguzi Magistrate’s Court this morning (Tuesday) as charges against the suspect in the case of missing Sodwana Bay skipper John ‘Matambu’ Dercksen were provisionally withdrawn.

To add to the drama, the case was heard in absentia after Frederick ‘Ferdie’ Visser reportedly beat his head repeatedly against the inside of the police van en route from Qalakabusha Correctional Facility in Empangeni to the court.

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“He was planning to escape. He was bleeding profusely and had to be taken to hospital,” said Dercksen’s sister, Cherie Eilertsen.

“The family is distraught. Seeing him face-to-face would have brought some closure for us, but he couldn’t even show up at court.”

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), KwaZulu-Natal to establish if the correct procedures were followed to secure Visser’s appearance before the Mbazwana Magistrate’s Court.

“After investigation and consideration of the matter, it has been decided that the fraud case against Visser be withdrawn as he was not brought before court in compliance with the Extradition Act, 67 of 1962.

“Further, investigation is also outstanding in respect of the fraud.

“The investigating officer has informed us that the accused is currently remanded in custody due to a parole violation,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

In the meantime, the original missing person case has been upgraded after the family opened a murder charge against Visser.

What is next for this case is that SAPS should continue with investigations, said Ramkisson-Kara.

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