ARTICLE BY VOICE
A tow truck operator who allegedly murdered a driver from a rival company was granted bail yesterday. Chris Olieslager, 40, of Maitland appeared at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court yesterday. He is accused of the murder of Linley Summers, 45, who was stabbed in his left arm and lung on June 15. Summers had responded to an accident scene in Maitland around 1pm. He was taken to Groote Schuur Hospital but died an hour after arriving. The incident was witnessed by Summers’ 15-year-old son who allegedly saw Olieslager put a knife into a pouch after the stabbing. Andre Johnston, representing Olieslager, said the court had been given misleading information by the State through the investigating officer Warrant Officer Mark Vermeulen, who said Olieslager had a propensity for violence, was under threat from the community and had pending matters against him. “These allegations are unfounded as grounds to oppose bail,” he said. Olieslager, owner of Urban Towing and Island Auto Panel, was granted bail of R2000 and was ordered to have no contact with Summers’ son or visit his home. The matter resumes on August 28.