The High Court heard an appeal by two appellants against convictions and sentences for kidnapping, murder and theft. The judgment discusses the admissibility and evidential weight of Vodacom cell phone records and RICA documents, and says the appeal was dismissed. The court also refers to circumstantial evidence including video footage, cell phone data and witness testimony about locations linked to the deceased.
This appears to concern criminal evidence and the treatment of cell phone records and other electronic material in appeal proceedings.
Evidence from source
The appeal in respect to the convictions and sentences of both the first and second appellants is dismissed.
Supports: Summary that the appeal was dismissed.
Cell phone records (data generated automatically by a telecommunications system) are admissible as evidence—even without formal authentication by a service provider witness
Supports: Summary about the judgment discussing admissibility of cell phone records.
the entire State’s case is based on circumstantial evidence in the form of video footage and cellular phone records.
Supports: Summary that the case involved circumstantial evidence including video footage and cell phone data.