Alleged diamond dealers trial next year
Saturday, May 07, 2016
According to the charge sheet, the diamonds weighed 14.14 carats and are worth P24,581.97. The accused were in court for setting of trial dates but Matebu was once again absent from court, something which prompted Chief Magistrate Gaedupe Makgatho to issue a warrant for his arrest.
The state prosecutor, Kefilwe Jeremia applied for the matter to be postponed to Tuesday in order to set trial dates in the presence of the substantive prosecutor in the matter.
When claims of such gravity are made, especially by a sitting Assistant Minister they cannot be brushed aside, delayed, or treated as routine political noise. Even the Ombudsman has confirmed receipt of a report from a political party and a review of these complaints is now underway. That is a necessary first step. But it is only the beginning. The seriousness of the allegations demands urgency, transparency and clarity. The public is entitled to...