House arrest for Nayager

By Noelene Barbeau

Despite efforts by the state to re-open their case against a former Sydenham station commander in order to mention an attempted murder charge, policeman Colonel Glen Nayager was granted R5 000 bail and placed under house arrest.

Colonel Leon Matthysen, a state witness who is expected to testify against Nayager during his trial on charges relating to fraud, theft and obstructing justice, had complained on Tuesday that Nayager threatened to kill him if he did not mess up his evidence.

This led to Nayager's arrest later that day outside the Pinetown Magistrate's Court building as Nayager was preparing to enter the dock for the start of his trial.

Gunshots fired at Matthysen's house on Wednesday night led to him opening an attempted murder charge. This is what the court was told just before magistrate A Kisten announced her decision about Nayager's bail application.

State prosecutor, Vikash Sewnath, asked if the state could reopen its case because of this.

The magistrate refused to do so and said Nayager was arrested on a suspicion. Further, she said the state introduced hearsay evidence and all it had was merely a "complainant telling the court there was a threat against him".

She said there was no further evidence on the five threatening phone calls Matthysen received on Tuesday night so she had "no choice but to grant bail".

The matter was adjourned until September 7.

Nayager's trial on fraud, theft and obstructing justice continues at the Pinetown Regional Court.

noelene.barbeau@inl.co.za