Justice Matlhogonolo Phuthego ordered that the arrest and imprisonment of the minister shall be held in abeyance pending the decision of the Court of Appeal. “The application in respective of the application by Mogapi is fixed for status hearing on April 5, 2024 at 0900 hours. In respect of the application filled by the Attorney General the respondents are given until April 1st 2024, at 1200 hours, to have filed their answering affidavits. Arguments will be heard on April 1, 2024,” Phuthego said.
The dispute started in 2015 when Lamworld Technologies (Pty) Ltd approached the court seeking just over P3 million plus 10% interest for works they performed and expenses incurred. The money was subsequently amended to P20 million. Lamworld Technologies (Pty) Ltd want the Ministry to pay for services it rendered as per 2013 contract in which it was engaged to build a water treatment plant and evaporation ponds in New Xade and Radisele villages. Mogapi through the ministry's attorneys said she wants the court to declare that the attachment of the property belonging to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is unlawful and that the possession of the said property be restored to the Ministry forthwith.
