Tuli case: three walk while state fiddles
August 23 2000 - IOL
The case of the alleged abuse of a group of Tuli elephants was struck off the court roll in the Brits magistrate's court in Northern Province on Tuesday.
Riccardo Ghiazza, owner of African Game Services; Craig Saunders, who bought some of the elephants; and elephant trainer Henry Stockgit were told they were free to go. The three were previously accused of abusing young elephants captured in Botswana's Tuli area.
Magistrate Louis Matthee on Tuesday refused to grant a request by state prosecutor Phyllis Vorster for further postponement of the case.
The state can reinstate the prosecution only with the written authorisation of the directorate of public prosecutions.
Vorster told the court the previous prosecutor had not been paid for June and had refused to furnish the defence with further particulars of the case until he was paid.
During the last appearance of the three men in June, the magistrate criticised the state for "failing to do the work to see that justice is done".
In October last year, the case was struck off the roll, but was reinstated the next day. - Sapa