Goldberg facing sixth charge (South Africa)

Independent Online

November 19 2009

The ivory seized by police in a Sea Point curio shop earlier this year was worth some R32-million, the Cape Town Magistrate's Court heard on Thursday.

Prosecutor Rashied Daniels told the court that shop owner Mark Goldberg now faced five charges related to possessing and intending to sell ivory without a permit. 

The state intended adding a sixth charge, of money-laundering.

He asked for, and was granted a postponement to January 14 next year, saying the state and Goldberg's lawyer would start plea negotiations after he had given the defence the full docket.

On January 14 he would be able to give an indication of how the case would continue "whether by plea bargain or a guilty plea"

As an indication of the seriousness of the case, the ivory seized from Goldberg was provisionally valued at R32-million, he said.

Goldberg's attorney, David Mbazwana, told the court he expected to get full particulars of the charges on Friday.

"Then we will be able to consult with the accused and decide what to do," he said.

Goldberg, 50, is out on R50 000 bail.