State eyes SCA approach to halt accused in Caiphus Nyoka murder from leaving SA for Iraq

JOHANNESBURG - The State in the murder case of anti-apartheid stalwart Caiphus Nyoka wants to approach the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to stop his alleged killer from working in the Middle East.

Last week, the High Court sitting in Benoni ruled that Pieter Stander be given his passport, allowing him to continue working in Iraq pending his trial later this year.

Stander is one of four former apartheid police officers who are accused of Nyoka’s 1987 murder at his Daveyton home.

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The State has written to the High Court for leave to appeal its decision granting Stander permission to travel to the Middle East, where he works as a soldier.

Prosecutors believe that there is an inherent risk with Stander being allowed to leave the country pending his trial, especially because South Africa has no extradition treaty with Iraq.

They also believe the appeal would have reasonable prospects of success before the Supreme Court and there are compelling reasons why the appeal should be heard.

The High Court also granted Stander more time to prepare for his trial as he was only officially informed of the charges against him last month.

Stander and three others face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice for allegedly lying that they acted in self-defence when attacking Nyoka.

The trial has now been set down for November this year.