Accused await legal aid decision

THE FIVE men accused of the kidnapping and murder of Danielskuil DA councillor Johannes Baatjies and a family friend, Jeffrey Nouse, have all applied for assistance from Legal Aid South Africa.

The accused’s legal representatives withdrew their services in the Northern Cape High Court on Tuesday due to the non-payment of legal fees..

The trial has not started yet, as they accused have been struggling since last year to pay their legal fees.

Acting Judge Sharon Erasmus yesterday postponed the matter until March 20 to hear the outcome regarding which accused will qualify for legal aid.

The accused will remain in custody.

Some of the accused stated on Tuesday that while they preferred private attorneys, they were still in the process of trying to secure the necessary funds and would in the meantime apply for State assistance, although they did not know if they qualified as they were still receiving salaries.

The accused – Richard Hasane, Tshame Frank Baxane, Zonizelo Richard Magawu, Thompson Mncedisi Mphondomisa and Matthews Legodu – were charged with murder, kidnapping and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Baatjies was apparently lured to a business meeting along the side of the road between Postmasburg and Danielskuil in August 2016, where he was kidnapped and forced into the boot of a vehicle.

He was shot at twice while trying to escape from the moving vehicle. A third bullet penetrated the back of his head after he had rolled out of the vehicle and onto the road.

Nouse was shot in the face with a 9mm pistol and was found seriously injured in the seat of a Ford Ranger. He was taken to Kimberley Hospital, where he died on August 23, 2016.