NEWS
'Date-rape' drugs found in advocates' house
Pretoria, South Africa 17 February 2005 02:17

Police found four types of sedative drugs at the house of two Pretoria advocates, accused among other things of drugging and raping a woman and a girl, a court heard on Thursday.

Pharmacologist George Muntingh testified in the Pretoria High Court trial of Cezanne Visser and Dirk Prinsloo about the sedative effects of the drugs. They were Rohypnol, its generic version Rolab-Flunitraz, Normison and Stilnox.

Rohypnol is also known as the "date-rape drug".

Muntingh said all four drugs affect the central nervous system and could cause memory loss.

The drugs are normally used to treat insomnia.

Muntingh testified that Rohypnol and Rolab-Flunitraz were initially listed as schedule-five medicines, but were upgraded to schedule seven in 2002 because of their potential for being misused.

Rohypnol and Rolab-Flunitraz could cause the loss of memories of events that transpired up to eight hours after being consumed, he said.

"There is a good chance one may never remember, ever."

Neither drug should be given to children under 18.

Their other side effects include disinhibition, drowsiness, muscle relaxation and the inhibition of motoric response and coordination.

Muntingh said a person taking Rohypnol or its generic version on an empty stomach will become unusually sociable, talkative and disinhibited after about 30 minutes. This will be followed by a stage of sleepiness, whereafter they will actually fall asleep.

Visser and Prinsloo face two charges of rape -- that of a 14-year-old girl and another of a 20-year-old woman.

Both complainants alleged they had been drugged by the pair before being violated.

The charge sheet also lists four counts of indecent assault, three of enticing a minor to commit indecent acts, one each of fraud, sexual exploitation of a minor and possessing child pornography, two of manufacturing such material, and one of possessing dagga.

Four of their alleged victims were minors -- one was 11 at the time.

Prinsloo faces an additional charge of assaulting one of the complainants.

The couple is out on bail of R4 000 each. -- Sapa

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