A bag manufacturer and distributor on Monday testified in the Western Cape High Court that two of Fadwaan ‘Vet’ Murphy’s companies regularly bought little ziplock-sakkies from him, used on the Cape Flats to distribute drugs.
Mohamed Osman, the director of Eazipak in Athlone, testified for the State after his products were found at a drug manufacturing and distribution house in Reindeer Street, Lotus River, which allegedly belonged to Murphy.
Murphy, 44, his ex-wife Shafieka Murphy, sister Glenda Bird and four others face 239 charges relating to racketeering, money laundering, drug dealing and charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
The State entered into evidence purchases made for Mervey’s Trading and Ulterior Trading Solutions, both belonging to Murphy.
Invoices were from June 2012 to February 2016, but on an excel sheet, provided by Osman, he lists the last purchase for bags on 9 October 2018.
Osman took the court through one invoice.
“On this one, dated 12 June 2013, they ordered 60mmx40mm ziplock bags. Mervey’s is a regular customer and also bought two other sizes.
“This little bag is used by clothing manufacturers to put in spare buttons and then attached to the inside of garments. We used to make them 40mmx40mm, but they are used for wrong and we stopped selling them and only sell the 40mmx60mm. It is still used for wrong.”
Murphy’s lawyer Jan van der Berg asked for time to consult with his client before beginning his cross-exam of Osman as the witness was new to him.
He also said Murphy needed to see his doctor.