Matome to dump lawyers?

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Tuesday October 26, 2010 00:00

 

Some close to the Matomes say Joe Matome has severed ties with the law firm but this is denied by the firm.

There is suggestion that when the case resumes tomorrow (Wednesday) for mitigation and sentencing before out-going Regional Magistrate Lot Moroka, who will be reading the judgment for the convicted Matome and Nchindo's son Garvas, it is highly likely that Matome will be represented by a lawyer from Mack  Bahuma Attorneys.

Sources close to Matome inform Mmegi that the former Debswana Board secretary decided to dump Collins Newman Attorneys after he was convicted and subsequently failed to get bail pending sentencing. The feeling amongst the family is understood to be that maybe Matome's case is not helpd at all by the fact that the Nchindos and their companies are all represented by the same law firm. The thinking is that Matome would be better off represented by an outsider.  When Mmegi asked the senior partner at Collins Newman, Parks Tafa, he denied that  Matome has decamped from their stable. Tafa said he would not deny that some members of the family had wanted Matome to get legal representation from outside their firm.

'I will not deny that some members wanted him to have different legal representation.'

Tafa said they have had discussions with the family and the position is that they will continue to represent Matome. It would be irresponsible of us to dump him at this stage.'

When Mmegi contacted the wife of Joe Matome to confirm if they had wanted to    change legal representation and to find out why they wanted to do so, she was not in a talking mood. 'I do not know who told you that and I have no comment,' was all Mrs  Matome would say.