PI hired because police dragged heels in investigation - husband

By CHANDRÉ PRINCE
Court Reporter

THE husband of a kidnapped Amalinda woman has heaped praise on an East London private investigator whom he claims brought in the final suspect - after just three days on the job.

Catherine Jones was snatched outside the East London Magistrate's Court on April 12 and driven to the West Bank Grand Prix track.

When her husband, Brad Jones, a car dealer, paid a ransom of R50 000, the kidnappers made off with the money, his car, wallet and cellphone.

A month later police arrested Fabian Nelson from Parkside, but a second suspect believed to be the mastermind behind the kidnapping remained at large.

Jones said he hired Christian Botha two weeks ago when he became frustrated with the pace at which the police investigating team were proceeding.

"I was disappointed with the manner in which police handled the case. We had to take it upon ourselves to pay Christian to help us," Jones said.

Within three days Parkside resident and taxi driver Eugene "Haan" Sharp was arrested - seven months after the alleged offence had taken place.

Jones' wife positively identified a photograph of her alleged abductor.

Jones, who will have to cough up several thousand rands for the private investigator, who charges R300 to R350 an hour, was yesterday adamant that Sharp's arrest would not have happened had it not been for Botha.

"It's of my view that had Christian not got involved, there would not have been an arrest. He definitely helped speed up the case and we're very grateful for that," he said, adding that the couple finally had a sense of relief after a "very traumatic" experience.

Other high-profile cases solved by Botha include the East London penguin killings and the recovery of the skeletal remains of Alec Steenkamp, who had been missing for eight years.

The head of detectives in the East London area, Superintendent Gopz Govender, however vehemently disputed Jones' view that Botha was instrumental in solving the case.

He said information Botha had handed to them last Monday prior to Sharp's arrest was in fact "old news".

He said Sharp's arrest had already been imminent, but police had to delay it because of technical reasons.

He said he was more than satisfied with the manner in which investigating officer Detective Inspector Roderick Bossr had been handling the case.

Govender gave Bossr full credit, adding that he was "an excellent and thorough investigator in whom I have all the confidence".

"The investigation was done. Botha never added any value to our case. Everything on our side was ready for action," he said Govender.

The two accused appeared in the East London Regional Court yesterday on charges of kidnapping, robbery and blackmail.

Sharp, who is being represented by Willie Opperman, will have to spend the next few days in jail as his formal bail application will only be heard on November 11.