Court date set for Lamoer, 5 accused

IN JUST over three months one of the province’s most sensational court cases – the corruption trial of former Western Cape police commissioner Arno Lamoer – is finally expected to make its way to the Western Cape High Court.

The trial date was set yesterday when Lamoer and five co- accused appeared briefly before Judge Elize Steyn for a pre-trial conference.

The judge was provided with details showing everyone involved in the case had ironed out any kinks which could hamper the smooth running of the trial.

Minor concerns over his clients’ instructions raised by Pete Mihalik, one of the defence advocates, will be addressed and sorted out before the scheduled trial date, the court was assured.

Mihalik represents Stellenbosch police cluster commander Brigadier Darius van der Ross.

Judge Steyn was happy the matter was ready, and set a trial date for March 6.

Lamoer and his co-accused face 109 charges of corruption and racketeering.

His co-accused include Van der Ross and two other police officials – brigadiers Kolindren Govender and his wife Sharon Govender.

Cape Town businessman Mohamed Saleem Dawjee and his son Mohamed Zameer Dawjee also share the dock with the police officials.

According to the indictment, Lamoer and the three police officials allegedly received R1.6 million in bribes from the Dawjees in return for their influence.

Lamoer was appointed to the post in November 2010 and retired in November 2015. He had been in the service for 25 years.

fatima.schroeder@inl.co.za

Arno Lamoer