NPA SPOKESPERSON EXPLAINS DELAYS

PHINDI Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said it “had a consultation session with the victims”, which Morgan pointed out was in February last year.

“The NPA has an open-door policy and complainants and their families are welcome to approach the office of the senior public prosecutor for assistance regarding their case.”

The State, she said, had been ready to proceed with the trial since June last year. “The delays are at the instance of the accused as he was granted several postponements to lodge representations with the offices of the NPA.

“The accused appeared in court for the first time on January 17, 2019, the matter was postponed to the next day for purposes of bail application and bail was granted. The State was then granted three postponements to finalise investigations and consult with witnesses (February to June 2019).

“Thereafter, the matter was further postponed six times, at the request of the defence for purposes of lodging representations.

“They first lodged representations with the office of the senior public prosecutor (SPP) in Alexandra and they were unsuccessful.

“The defence then asked for another postponement to approach the office of the DPP with representations. Those representations were also unsuccessful and the defence was informed accordingly in a correspondence addressed to them, dated November 21, 2019.

“After being granted another postponement (at their request to approach the office of the NDPP) to February 2020, the accused appointed a new legal representative in February 2020. The new defence team indicated that they will again lodge representations with the office of the DPP.

“The next court date was during lockdown and the matter was remanded to May (accused was not present due to lockdown regulations).

“In May the decision was that their representations were unsuccessful and DPP office issued instructions to the SPP, Alexandra, to proceed with the trial in a letter dated May 22.”

The NPA informed court on June 2 about the DPP office instruction.

“The defence requested another postponement to approach the office of the NDPP. They were granted the postponement and matter will be back in court on August 24 for the outcome of representations.” | Sheree Bega