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Suspended policeman Gerhardus du Plessis (left) leaves the Commercial Crime Court after the postponement of his corruption case. Photo: Etienne Creux
A suspended Hercules police officer alleged to have been involved in the drive-by shooting of a Pretoria mother briefly appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Thursday on charges of corruption.
Gerhardus du Plessis, 34, who was granted bail of R2 000 in October, applied for Legal Aid after his lawyer withdrew from the case during his previous appearance on November 25.
His Legal Aid representative, Donald du Plessis, confirmed on Thursday that Du Plessis’s Legal Aid application had been approved and that he (Donald) would conduct Du Plessis’s defence.
The court heard from Du Plessis that his client, who also faces charges of conspiracy to murder, murder and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition for his alleged involvement in Chanelle Henning’s murder, had abandoned his bail application in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court last month and was currently busy with plea negotiations. This followed after Du Plessis handed himself over to the police in November. Several other arrests followed shortly after.
The lawyer said it would be pointless to reinstate bail on the corruption charges, as his client was currently in custody at the Garsfontein police station for the pending charges against him. He asked the court if the bail amount of R2 000 could be refunded to Du Plessis’s brother, who had paid the money.
The state did not object to the request and requested the court to combine the corruption charges with the other charges he faces.
The court granted the State’s request and the case was postponed.
Leaving court, Du Plessis, who had previously covered his face with his shirt, walked out expressionless with his hands cuffed in front of him. – Pretoria News
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