Lamoer lawyer throws in towel

FORMER provincial police commissioner Arno Lamoer, on trial for corruption, racketeering and money laundering, has lost the services of his lawyer after running out of funds.

Judge Rosheni Allie allowed advocate Grant Smith to withdraw from representing Lamoer in the Western Cape High Court yesterday as the accused does not have the wherewithal to pay for his service.

Lamoer and three brigadiers – Darius van der Ross, Sharon Govender and her husband Colin Govender – together with businessman Salim Dawjee, face 109 charges of corruption, racketeering, and money laundering involving R1.6 million.

“Unfortunately, My Lady, as discussed, our position has changed to the extent that I request to withdraw from this matter and to ask the court to be excused,” Smith said.

“In this regard, we have been liaising with the Legal Aid Board.”

Smith said they expect to hear whether the board would take the case today. His consultation notes would be made available to Lamoer’s new legal representative once he had secured one.

Judge Allie said it would be difficult to proceed in light of the new developments.

The judge addressed the witness in the box, Colonel Abdul Enus, saying his further testimony could only be heard once the issue had been resolved. The case was postponed to tomorrow.