Hoax e-mail trial postponed

Nov 24 2006

The trial of the two men implicated in the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) hoax e-mail saga was postponed in the Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on Friday so a third accused could be added.

Software salesperson Muziwendoda Kunene and NIA manager for electronic surveillance Funokwakhe Madladla are accused of fraud relating to hoax e-mails.

State prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach asked for a postponement to introduce a third accused.

She said she was aware of the inconvenience caused but that it was best that the third accused be tried with Kunene and Madladla.

The defence attorneys did not oppose the postponement and it was postponed to December 8.

The defence asked for the bail conditions to be amended.

Madladla's attorney Riaan Strydom asked the court to scrap the conditions restricting Madladla's mobility.

Strydom argued that Madladla was not a flight risk and that he needed his passport for business purposes overseas.

Madladla has been unemployed since July and had financial commitments which could not be met as his movements are restricted, said Strydom.

Madladla has to get permission from the investigating officer to leave Gauteng.

The court refused the request due to the serious nature of the crime.

Kunene was contracted by NIA to intercept e-mails and electronic communication. He handed several documents he claimed were intercepted to Madladla.

It was later found that the documents were fabricated and did not originate from the person alleged to have written them.

The e-mails implicated senior ANC members in a conspiracy against ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma and secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe. - Sapa