Crucial pound case in Concourt, and other brief reports

* Donovan Samuel Moodley, the man being held in connection with the abduction and murder of Leigh Matthews, is expected to make a brief appearance in the Randburg Regional Court today when, according to Louis Weinstein, his legal representative, the date for his bail application will be set . – News24 * A disenchanted bank client who allegedly released puff adders into a Johannesburg Absa bank will go on trial on February 1, the Johannesburg Regional Court decided yesterday. Abel Manamela faces six charges – attempted murder of Reward Mncube, attempted murder of people present in the bank, attempted extortion, extortion, intimidation and contravening the Nature Conservation Act. He was released on R5 000 bail. – News24 * A Port Elizabeth man, Thabu Abel Thelingoane (38), has appeared in the Humansdorp Magistrates’ Court charged with fraud amounting to R9m. Thelingoane allegedly tried to defraud the owner of the Savoy Hotel in Jeffreys Bay and three estate agencies. – The Herald * Marius de Witt (29), a former Shoprite Checkers trainee manager, has gone on trial in the Port Elizabeth High Court for the alleged rape and indecent assault of the six-year-old daughter of a friend. He is also charged with possession of child pornography. He has denied charges of rape and indecent assault, but has pleaded guilty to the child pornography charge. – The Herald * A Port Elizabeth Magistrates’ Court has granted bail of R150 000 each to two diamond brokers of Indian origin, arrested for allegedly being in possession of 67 uncut diamonds worth R2.5m. A third accused, South African Neil du Toit was granted bail of R75 000. – The Herald * The Nigerian senate has ratified an extradition treaty with SA to facilitate the repatriation of crime suspects taking refuge in either country. – News24