One of the defence attorneys in the kidnapping trial of Gqeberha biokineticist Riana Pretorius has pointed a finger at her her ex-boyfriend, stating that he could have been in cahoots with Pretorius to extort money from her father.
Pretorius was kidnapped outside her workplace in Newton Park on 16 March last year, and released eight days later after a R1.1m ransom was paid.
The trial against Xolisile Rawutini and Xolani Kafile was on its second day in the city's Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Pretorius' ex-boyfriend, Carel du Preez was in the dock under cross-examination by Kafile's attorney, Wayne Mac Gear, when he put it to the witness that certain things around the kidnapping did not add up.
He said he found it strange that Pretorius decided to end her relationship with Du Preez a day after she was returned and the fact that Hawks investigators had told him not to contact the Pretorius family and to keep out of the investigation.
"Based on some of these facts, the person sitting behind this whole thing could be you," said Mac Gear.
Du Preez responded by saying: "If that person was me or if there was just the slightest chance, I would be sitting on that side, (referring to the dock where the accused was seated) and not here."
Mac Gear pointed out that Du Preez had financial woes and that his company had been liquidated during the time the saga unfolded.
He said according to the State's evidence, the main person behind the kidnapping has not been arrested.
Mac Gear also referred the witness to an article published in The Herald on 27 March 2023 about his company and its liquidation.
Du Preez conceded that he had been aware of the allegations in the article, and added: "Unfortunately, The Herald does not believe in true facts."
"I try to avoid reading The Herald as far as possible."
When asked why the newspaper would publish the story about his business with the same context as Pretorius' kidnapping, du Preez said: "The Herald is a paper driven by sensation that would write anything to sell papers."
Du Preez further told Mac Gear that at that point in time, he did not care what anyone wrote, because he was more concerned about "Riana" and her safety.
According to du Preez, the reason Pretorius had broken up with him is "unclear" to this day.
Pretorius was set to take the stand, but Magistrate Louis Classeen did not want her to start giving evidence, only for the case to be postponed.
The trial will continue on 4 November.
