News / International
Riddle of a 'Rhodesian bio-terrorist'
21 Feb 2011 at 05:46hrs | Views
A terrorist in business, the "most stubborn and arrogant man in the world" - but also "an approachable man who always smiles when he greets you".
These are the conflicting descriptions from former business associates and friends of Brian Patrick Roach - the 64-year-old former Zimbabwean facing charges of terrorism for blackmailing the UK government.
On Friday Roach withdrew his bail application in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court and stated his intention to plead guilty.
However, his legal team will argue on Tuesday when he appears in court again that he is at most guilty of a charge of extortion and fraud - and not terrorism - as he did not have the capacity to carry out his threats.
He will also plead guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearms and money-laundering.
Roach was arrested at a self-storage warehouse near Hartbeespoortdam last week, where he went to pick up "ransom" money he demanded from the UK in exchange for not unleashing a biological threat against that country.
Roach's plot included unleashing foot-and-mouth disease in the UK, supposedly because he was angry at the US and UK for not offering protection to white Zimbabwean farmers who have suffered land grabs.
This week the Sunday Times learnt how an elaborate trap was set for Roach, who thought he could simply walk into a pre-arranged spot and pick up his US$4-million in Krugerrands.
Police intelligence officers rented the garage , setting up state-of-the-art recording and video equipment without the knowledge of the owner .
While neighbours, who regularly saw Roach strolling around the posh K'Shane Lake Lodge property on the banks of the Hartbeespoortdam deemed him not to be a threat, others who have had run-ins with the man paint a different picture.
A wealthy former Zimbabwean who owns sports cars and light aeroplanes, Roach lived in a R7.5-million mansion.
He held 48% shares in Brano Industries - a company specialising in garage door equipment. But this week staff spoke of the "terror" he unleashed on them and his "holding staff to ransom" by holding back on salaries and payment of creditors.
MD Noel Otten has no kind words for Roach, despite having been on friendly terms with him for 40 years.
Furious that the company's name has been dragged into the debacle, Otten said: "He is the most stubborn and arrogant man. The story about him wanting money for Zimbabwe farmers is bull****... He's as much concerned for farmers in Zim as he is for prostitutes in Timbuktu."
Otten said the company was in a healthy financial state, quashing rumours Roach wanted the money to keep the business afloat - but claims Roach often put a spanner in the works by withholding payments.
Otten said other directors did not want Roach to be involved in the day-to-day running of the company. "The company did not want him to come back... We felt his presence and influence would be disruptive."
"He lived a lavish lifestyle; his needs and demands exceeded what the company could give him," said Otten.
Roach's family refused to comment this week, but his brother, Ken, delivered a telling blow when he told the Sunday Times: "I know nothing about it. My brother must be some kind of lunatic."
Roach's son, Dyllan, who is listed as a co-director with his father in NiteSight Africa, also would not be drawn into commenting, despite admitting the family took the revelations "very hard".
Roach is an avid pilot and, before his relationship with Otten turned sour, was involved in the restoration of old planes.
Roach is also, according to aviation websites, the owner of a Steen Skybolt, an aerobatic plane, as well as others he owns in partnership with other pilots.
Neighbours at the estate gave a different view on the man they often saw strolling with his dogs and grandchildren.
One resident, who did not want to be named as "we are a close community here" said: "It's such a cliché, but he was really just a nice, ordinary man. He always greeted you when he walked past and he attended all our meetings, always willing to help. I just can't for one moment believe he would be involved in something like this."
But even the non-believers were horrified to discover the Hawks raided Roach's boathouse and found an AK47 and ammunition in his private helicopter.
Fanie Smith, who owns the self-storage warehouse where the arrest was made, said he was baffled by the development.
"A friend phoned and said there were police cars and a helicopter hovering above my property. I drove there but was not allowed inside."
NPA spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said Roach's legal team were making representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions. The NPA believes he should be found guilty on terrorism charges, which carries a life sentence.
Otten said the company was in the process of removing Roach as a director.
These are the conflicting descriptions from former business associates and friends of Brian Patrick Roach - the 64-year-old former Zimbabwean facing charges of terrorism for blackmailing the UK government.
On Friday Roach withdrew his bail application in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court and stated his intention to plead guilty.
However, his legal team will argue on Tuesday when he appears in court again that he is at most guilty of a charge of extortion and fraud - and not terrorism - as he did not have the capacity to carry out his threats.
He will also plead guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearms and money-laundering.
Roach was arrested at a self-storage warehouse near Hartbeespoortdam last week, where he went to pick up "ransom" money he demanded from the UK in exchange for not unleashing a biological threat against that country.
Roach's plot included unleashing foot-and-mouth disease in the UK, supposedly because he was angry at the US and UK for not offering protection to white Zimbabwean farmers who have suffered land grabs.
This week the Sunday Times learnt how an elaborate trap was set for Roach, who thought he could simply walk into a pre-arranged spot and pick up his US$4-million in Krugerrands.
Police intelligence officers rented the garage , setting up state-of-the-art recording and video equipment without the knowledge of the owner .
While neighbours, who regularly saw Roach strolling around the posh K'Shane Lake Lodge property on the banks of the Hartbeespoortdam deemed him not to be a threat, others who have had run-ins with the man paint a different picture.
A wealthy former Zimbabwean who owns sports cars and light aeroplanes, Roach lived in a R7.5-million mansion.
He held 48% shares in Brano Industries - a company specialising in garage door equipment. But this week staff spoke of the "terror" he unleashed on them and his "holding staff to ransom" by holding back on salaries and payment of creditors.
MD Noel Otten has no kind words for Roach, despite having been on friendly terms with him for 40 years.
Furious that the company's name has been dragged into the debacle, Otten said: "He is the most stubborn and arrogant man. The story about him wanting money for Zimbabwe farmers is bull****... He's as much concerned for farmers in Zim as he is for prostitutes in Timbuktu."
Otten said other directors did not want Roach to be involved in the day-to-day running of the company. "The company did not want him to come back... We felt his presence and influence would be disruptive."
"He lived a lavish lifestyle; his needs and demands exceeded what the company could give him," said Otten.
Roach's family refused to comment this week, but his brother, Ken, delivered a telling blow when he told the Sunday Times: "I know nothing about it. My brother must be some kind of lunatic."
Roach's son, Dyllan, who is listed as a co-director with his father in NiteSight Africa, also would not be drawn into commenting, despite admitting the family took the revelations "very hard".
Roach is an avid pilot and, before his relationship with Otten turned sour, was involved in the restoration of old planes.
Roach is also, according to aviation websites, the owner of a Steen Skybolt, an aerobatic plane, as well as others he owns in partnership with other pilots.
Neighbours at the estate gave a different view on the man they often saw strolling with his dogs and grandchildren.
One resident, who did not want to be named as "we are a close community here" said: "It's such a cliché, but he was really just a nice, ordinary man. He always greeted you when he walked past and he attended all our meetings, always willing to help. I just can't for one moment believe he would be involved in something like this."
But even the non-believers were horrified to discover the Hawks raided Roach's boathouse and found an AK47 and ammunition in his private helicopter.
Fanie Smith, who owns the self-storage warehouse where the arrest was made, said he was baffled by the development.
"A friend phoned and said there were police cars and a helicopter hovering above my property. I drove there but was not allowed inside."
NPA spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said Roach's legal team were making representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions. The NPA believes he should be found guilty on terrorism charges, which carries a life sentence.
Otten said the company was in the process of removing Roach as a director.
Source - Byo24NEWS
