‘Bogus’ legal expert to conduct own defence

PORT ELIZABETH: Alleged fake lawyer Brenda Wardle, who regularly provided legal analysis for prominent news organisations for years, was adamant yesterday she would conduct her own defence in her fraud trial involving more than half a million rand.

Not only will Wardle prepare her own papers for trial, she told Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court that she also wants to conduct her own defence at her intended bail appeal. She rejected advice from the State prosecutor suggesting she use legal aid.

Wardle shot to fame during the highly publicised murder trial of Paralympian Oscar Pistorius. She appeared on the SABC and BBC television, as a legal analyst. The 56 year old is also facing charges related to pretending to be a lawyer and offering “services” to a convicted murder.

The State alleges that during April 2009 and August 2013, Wardle was paid R538 766 to assist jailed Stephanus van Aardt, who was requesting early release on parole. The State alleges that Wardle pretended to be an attorney, but she failed to bring an application for Van Aardt’s early release. Van Aardt, an Eastern Cape dairy farmer in Somerset East, who was convicted of murder in 2007 and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for the assault and death of 15-year-old Eliot Magabane, was as a result not eligible to have his term of imprisonment converted.

The so-called

Within seven days I will be able to proceed with my bail appeal

legal analyst and author was arrested in East London earlier last month after evading court for more than a year. She was subsequently denied bail earlier this month. During court proceedings yesterday, Wardle indicated that she intended to plead not guilty to the charges against her. She said the charges she faced did not exist. There is “no such case”, she said.

She also complained that she was not getting the correct medication at the North EndPrison, where she is being detained. The accused said her rights were being infringed.

“I want to prepare my own papers, within seven days I will be able to proceed with my bail appeal, I wasn’t suggesting the trial be delayed. I am confident I will succeed,” said Wardle.

State prosecutor Tjaart van Zyl raised concerns over Wardle becoming trial ready to conduct her defence. “It seems like we are sitting in a situation where the accused is refusing a helping hand,” he said.

The case was postponed to August 11.