Magistrate irate over 'rotting' cases

PATRICIA MAGANU
Staff Writer | Wednesday August 8, 2007 00:00

The date of trial for the matter was set for February 2008.
'Why February 2008? This matter first came to the courts in February 2003 and it's going to be tried next year?' she asked.

 
The incident that gave rise to the case happened in Xhamkhwane cattle post on September 30, 2000. The accused, Phukie Bokowe, a farmer, is said to have threatened to kill Brian William Bridges by pointing a rifle at him and uttering the words, ' I will shoot and kill you'.

 
Attorney Tiro Mothusi, who was not available in court, represents Bokowe.
Makati-Lesang stood down the matter ordering the accused to go to his attorney and confirm trial dates for later this year rather than next year.

 
'Go to your lawyer's office and inform him about the trial date. If you don't find him in his office, bring his diary or talk with his secretary so you can confirm one of the dates, preferably in November for your trial,' she ordered.
Makati-Lesang also grilled the state in a case in which the accused has been remanded for nine months without trial.

 
Makati-Lesang complained about cases that were pending unnecessarily before court and they keep coming repeatedly for mention instead of setting and confirming trial dates.
She also complained about other cases that are pending before court while the accused people continue to rot in custody.
The magistrate changed dates for trials that were 'unreasonably far away' and swapped them for earlier dates.