Notorious Ntsuape succeeds in lawyer's recusal
Lebogang Mosikare | Wednesday May 23, 2018 14:50
Gobuamang Ntsuape, 32, made the application before Justice Lot Moroka on Wednesday.
When the cases came before court for initial case management conference, Ntsuape’s pro deo counsel, Mogaetsho Keoagile made an application to recuse himself as Ntsuape’s lawyer.
He said: “This matter is called to inform the court about matters arising from the conversation I had with the accused. When I contacted the accused, he indicated that he suspects that I may be acting in collusion with some of the complainants in his matters because he saw me with some of them. For this reason, I seek leave of the court to recuse myself as the accused’s attorney”.
Justice Moroka then asked Ntsuape if he had problems with his attorney to which Ntsuape responded: “During the first time I came to the High Court for these offences, I found my state appointed attorney sitting with some of the plaintiffs in my matters. Since he was appointed as my pro deo attorney, I just met him yesterday (Tuesday) and today in court. I think justice and my interests would be best served if the state appoints another attorney for me”.
At the end of the mention, Moroka said: “Leave to withdraw counsel Keoagile as attorney for the accused is hereby granted. The registrar is instructed to look for another attorney to represent the accused. He shall come to court on June 21 for status report”.
Ntsuape will finally go for trial in relation to four counts of attempted murder, one count of murder and one count of arson from September 3 to Semptember 7, 2018.
Ntsuape allegedly committed the offences on September 13, 2016 in Block 9 after his girlfriend and mother of his child, Dorcas Kgosietsile told him that they should end their relationship, a factor Ntsuape did not take kindly.
Ntsuape is also charged with two counts of manslaughter and one count of disabling in order to commit an offence that he allegedly committed on December 1, 2016.
Carlos Diwundu represents the state in the matters.