Kathryn Kimberley
ALLEGATIONS of obstruction of justice are under investigation after witnesses in the case against fraud-accused diamond dealer Giel Mans tried to withdraw as complainants.
State Advocate Wilhelm de Villiers said a case would be opened today.
The prosecution said it became suspicious after indications from several witnesses that they no longer wanted to testify against Mans.
Mans, 36, of Charlo, who was arrested in December 2011, is accused of running a ponzi scheme which cost investors at least R10-million.
It is alleged he would use the initial payments to buy some of the country's best diamonds, then sell them at a huge profit abroad. But when investors failed to see a profit and started asking questions, Mans allegedly faked his own kidnapping and demanded ransom from his wife, Stephanie.
But in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Friday, the chances of Mans getting bail again looked slim when De Villiers said he would lead new evidence before judgment was given on February 14.
De Villiers said charges of obstruction of justice were under investigation and that a case would be opened today. Although he would not say who the subject of the investigation was, he said he had warned the defence on several occasions not to interfere with state witnesses.
He said he first received an e-mail from the main complainant in the matter, Jasper Pieters, who reportedly lost R3-million in the scheme, indicating that he wanted to withdraw the charges.
"Pieters said he stood a better chance of getting his money back if Mans was freed."
Mans previously told the court he had stored diamonds worth millions of rands in a safe in London. Mans has refused to tell the court where the diamonds are being kept.
De Villiers said he was later contacted by four other complainants – who lost a combined R7-million – saying they no longer wanted to testify.
"I am not happy with the witnesses being interfered with. A charge of defeating the ends of justice will be opened [today]."
The matter returns to court on February 10.
Magistrate Abigail Beaton is then expected to rule on the bail application on February 14.
If Mans is granted bail he will become the first awaiting-trial prisoner in the Eastern Cape to be ordered to wear an electronic ankle tracking bracelet.