Trial Report: Five

When court resumed on Monday 8 November it was to begin examination of the fraud charges against Dr. Basson. The court did however hear that Basson's defence team has admitted that they do not dispute that the evidence presented in relation to the ecstasy seized in 1997, nor that relating to the drugs found in trunks stored at the house of one of Basson's close associates, Samuel Bosch.

The court heard extensive testimony this week about the luxury lifestyle led by Basson and his associates. The first person to give evidence on the fraud charges was architect, Lizelle Larson. Larson was contracted by Basson to renovate his Pretoria home at a cost of R1,5 million. She was then contracted to do R8 million renovations to a luxury property known as Merton house, also in Pretoria. Larson told the court that Merton house, which was thought to have been developed as a guesthouse, included a cordon bleu kitchen, jacuzzis; an extensive wine cellar and a separate service entrance. She told the court that a special trip was made to Fancourt hotel near George to inspect the decor, which Basson liked.

Merton house was ultimately sold to the Zimbabwean government at a loss, for use as an embassy. The defence argued that the house had always been intended as an embassy and that it had been visited by the Libyan ambassador to Namibia whilst being rebuilt.

The builder who worked on this project was Niel Kirstein. He gave evidence on the 9 and 10 November. Kirstein testified that he had befriended Basson and as a result he and his wife had accompanied Basson on overseas trips. He spoke of a holiday in the Kruger Park with Basson and a number of his associates; of a weekend trip in 1992 to watch the South African rugby team play at Twickenham and various other luxury jaunts.

The court also heard that Basson, Kirstein and Lothar Neethling had flown to Walvis Bay one Sunday for an appointment. According to Basson's defence, he and Neethling were on official duty all day, meeting representatives of Unita, Germany and Portugal.

Evidence has not yet been led on where the money for the overseas trips and the renovations of Merton House came from. We expect to hear evidence from the former Surgeon General, Gen. Niel Knobel next week.

Centre for Conflict Resolution, UCT, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa Tel: (27) 21-4222512 Fax: (27) 21-4222622 Email: [email protected]