Johannesburg - The case of a Randburg magistrate accused of soliciting a R500 000 bribe from a man wanted in Botswana to make his extradition case vanish was postponed for the fourth time since February for the same reason – he had problems with his legal representation.
Magistrate Johannes Kgomo allegedly took a bribe from a South African, Paul Mthabela, who was wanted in Botswana, and is also a witness in Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir’s trial.
On Tuesday his lawyer, Phulusi Maeyane, told the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court his mandate had been terminated and he was handing over the case to another lawyer.
Magistrate Albertus Roux expressed annoyance with Kgomo’s constant lack of legal representation.
Last week Kgomo had said his lawyer was not available to represent him. But Roux was determined to continue with the trial and demanded that the matter proceed.
After the case was adjourned for a few hours, Maeyane told the court that Kgomo had contacted him late last Monday afternoon to request his legal services, but he did not have sufficient time to clear his schedule.
Roux then questioned Kgomo about why he had not adequately dealt with his legal affairs. Kgomo said he had difficulty getting hold of legal representatives as many of them were away for the long weekend.
Although Roux was annoyed with the delay, he granted the defence’s request for a postponement, warning that it would be the last one. “This is becoming a concern to the court,” he said. “There are many legal counsels out there. Find one.”
Mthabela was wanted in Botswana for allegedly defrauding the country’s Health Ministry of millions of rand. He fled to South Africa, but Interpol later arrested him and he was released on bail. Kgomo has denied all charges against him.
The trial was postponed to Tuesday.
The Star