Accused persons in the rape case of a 13-year-old girl have been accorded a chance to look for another lawyer after they successfully pleaded with court to have their defence attorney withdrawn from the case.
The trio, Samuel Selolwane aged 58, mother of the victim and her acquaintance, appeared before the Broadhurst Magistrate’s Court today where they presented their case to have their defence attorney, Obonye Jonas recused from the case. They argued their case before Magistrate Lenah Mokibe, who was standing in for Goratile Moremi-Ramakoloi. “I would like this lawyer to be removed from this case because I do not want him to represent me in this matter going forward,” the victim’s mother said. The mother’s friend backed her by saying, “I too would like Jonas to no longer represent me in this case. “I have never even asked him to represent me, he is a lawyer to Selolwane not me. He wants money from me and it’s been four times now, but I have never engaged him for his services.”
For his part Selolwane too asked that Jonas be ousted in the matter. “I would like to terminate the services of my lawyer and can I be given more time to engage another in a short time,” he pleaded before court. The mother and her friend further asked the court to separate the charges like it had been from the start and not make it one charge. Upon hearing what the accused persons had to say, Magistrate Mokibe asked Jonas what his position was after hearing the accused persons said.
In response Jonas said: “I have no objection to be withdrawn from this case and may I be excused from court.”
Meanwhile, the accused persons were further remanded in custody and accorded enough time to find their next attorneys. The matter is set for March 28 where application for DNA extraction will be heard. Selolwane is accused of raping and defiling the 13-year-old with her mother and friend to the mother believed to be accomplices in the matter.
