Accused claims torture by cops

THE Port Elizabeth High Court case involving seven men accused of attempting to steal millions of rands' worth of liquid platinum in Deal Party in November 2011 turned into a trial within a trial after one of the accused claimed he was tortured by policemen into admitting his involvement.

Yesterday defence counsel Advocate Gerrit Cilliers, acting on instructions from his client, Xolani Nanto of New Brighton, cross-examined Warrant Officer Themba Siyephu on how Nanto was arrested in January 2012.

The state is alleging that Nanto, 37, Unathi Wana, 33, of Kwazakhele; Mlungisi Ntsume, 37, of New Brighton; Lonwabo Neti, 28, of KwaDwesi; Madoda Nube, 38, of New Brighton; Luyanda Njokweni, 37, of New Brighton, and Vukile Ngcangisa, 50, of Motherwell are all members of the gang which orchestrated an attack on a security vehicle transporting the liquid platinum.