Johannesburg - The retrial of murder accused Patrick Wisani is set to start in October.
The trial ended abruptly last month after Judge André Louw recused himself.
On Monday, Wisani appeared in the high court sitting in Randburg, after he was ordered on Friday to arrange new legal representation for himself.
His attorney Mpho Selepe could not be reached and there were indications that advocate Norman Makhubela would not be available to continue with the case.
There were also unconfirmed rumours that Wisani had not paid his lawyers.
He was given the option to make use of a legal aid lawyer.
“My family are very uncomfortable using a person from a legal aid board,” Wisani said, addressing Judge Billy Mothle from the dock.
“The temptation of (using) the legal aid person is having this finalised quickly,” he added.
Judge Mothle responded: “I would be prepared to give you leeway to find representation to your satisfaction. It’s not your fault you find yourself where you are. I’d like the question of legal representation sorted out today, so when we adjourn we know what your position is.”
However, after an adjournment, prosecutor Faghre Mohamed indicated that Wisani’s original counsel would in fact continue with the case.
“They’ve got full funds to proceed with the full trial, which they anticipate to take two weeks,” he said.
Wisani, who was the ANC Youth League chairman for the Joburg inner city branch, is accused of sjambokking his girlfriend Nosipho Mandleleni to death in September last year.
Judge Mothle postponed the matter to October 10.
Wisani, who has been held in custody since June after he broke his bail conditions, indicated to his legal team that he wanted to submit a new bail application.