Richard Mdluli’s request for trial postponement denied by the Pretoria high court

Share the Article:

Former crime intelligence head, Richard Mdluli’s application for a postponement of the trial to await the outcome of his leave to appeal has been dismissed by the Pretoria high court.

Mdluli’s application for leave to appeal is as a result of the South African Police Service (SAPS) refusing to pay for his legal fees and his appeal to the SAPS decision was also dismissed by the court.

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption(IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the prosecutor also argued strongly against the postponement. 

This comes after his attorney subsequently withdrew on record, citing lack of funds by Mdluli.

Mdluli, together with the former SAPS supply chain manager Heine Barnard and chief financial officer, Solomon Lazarus, are facing charges of corruption, fraud and theft.

This is relating to the police’s secret slush fund from the time they were employed by the SAPS in the Crime Intelligence Services, between 2008 and 2012. 

“In dismissing Mdluli’s application, Judge Mudunwazi Makamu agreed with IDAC and highlighted that this matter has been on the court roll for a long time and that it prejudices the other two accused who placed it on record that they are ready to proceed with trial.

ALSO READ | Eskom’s corruption case against Lomas transferred to high court

“He further indicated that Mdluli’s leave to appeal has a lot of uncertainties which may require him to approach the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) and the Constitutional Court should the ruling be not in his favour,” Mamothame explained.

The judge postponed the matter to Tuesday, for Mdluli to approach Legal Aid South Africa to ascertain if he qualifies for legal assistance.