From municipality to court

The five accused in the War on Waste case made another appearance in the George Magistrate’s Court on Monday 19 July.

The case has been further postponed to 25 August when a date will be determined for continuation in the regional court. With their appearance on Monday, the defence asked for supporting documentation, which the state said it didn’t have. “That will be sorted out during the next court date,” confirmed spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority Eric Ntabazalila.

The accused are former municipal manager Trevor Botha, former director of community services Walter Hendricks, former George mayor Melvin Naik and two municipal officials, Wessel Robertson and Rowan Botha.

They were served with court summonses by the Hawks Serious Commercial Investigation in September last year, on charges of fraud, corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act. The charges relate to Naik’s mayoral project, War on Waste.

Botha, Hendricks and Naik have previously proclaimed their innocence.

Jones-saak in lente

Die bedrogsaak van oudraadslid Henry Jones is Dinsdag, 20 Julie in die Georgelanddroshof weer uitgestel tot 13 en 14 September.

Jones word daarvan beskuldig dat hy in sy termyn as portefeuljeraadslid van die George-raad bedrog gepleeg het deur die onwettige verkoop van Hop-huise. Hy is sedert verlede jaar November onder huisarres geplaas.

Jones se gesondheidsprobleme het voorheen gesorg vir verskeie vertragings. Hy het in Mei ‘n operasie ondergaan waartydens sy pasaangeër vervang is. Jones is ‘n diabeet, hy is gediagnoseer met kolonkanker en het ook ‘n hartkwaal. Die laaste vertraging, vroeër die maand, was egter weens veiligheidsmaatreëls wat nagekom moes word nadat iemand in die hof positief getoets het vir Covid-19.