Everybody deserves a fair trial

Ijoin fellow South Africans in commending the law enforcement agencies on the arrest of suspects involved with a fatal attack at a KwaZulu-Natal place of prayer and the placement of several explosive devices at various Durban shopping centres.

I thank them for their efforts to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans.

Now we must allow the rule of law and due process to take its course without any speculations, accusations and assumptions.

To this end, I believe it is equally important to swiftly bring these suspects and trials to court.

It is crucial that during the investigation process and trial, suspects must have access to effective fairness and a trial without delay.

Unnecessary administrative delays, as in the case of Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, labelled as the “Thulsie twins” terror case, denies the accused or suspects the right to an impartial trial that includes the right to a judicious and appropriLet’s ate judgment.

The Thulsie twins were arrested in July 2016, and are still in custody awaiting their trial.

In the fight against criminal or terrorist offences, and those arrested, detained or charged, all due process must be respected.

Section 35(3)(h) of the Bill of Rights guarantees everyone the right to a fair trial.

I welcome the arrest of the suspects but they must also have the right to a fair trial, within a reasonable period of time. Mohamed Saeed

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