FS asbestos case: Court grants accused’s lawyer 6 days to familiarise himself with docket
Free State Housing Department director Mahlomola Matlakala started trial this week without his advocate in court.
Judge Philip Loubser in the Free State High Court. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - A lawyer for one of the accused in the Free State asbestos case has been given six days by the high court to familiarise himself with the docket before trial starts.
Free State Housing Department director, Mahlomola Matlakala, started trial this week without his advocate in court.
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Matlakala is one of 18 accused in the controversial multi-million rand asbestos tender that involved former premier, Ace Magashule, and businessman Edwin Sodi.
When the asbestos trial into the awarding of a R255 million tender started on Tuesday, a postponement was expected because one of the accused, Matlakala, only instructed lawyers last week after his Legal Aid application was denied.
His attorney argued that the matter could not proceed because they needed to get through the docket of more than 50,000 pages.
On Wednesday, Matlakala’s advocate, Thabani Mhlanga, arrived and tried to argue for a lengthy postponement, something Judge Philip Loubser was not willing to give.
"I do not have a docket in front of me. I do not have a docket and even if I were to have one right now, I do not have adequate time to prepare for this trial, my lord. I have only been briefed, and I made my first appearance on the 11th of April," Mhlanga said.
"Let me say to you so that there can be no misunderstanding, I am not likely to postpone this matter to any date beyond next Tuesday," Judge Loubser said.
Ultimately, the matter was postponed to next Wednesday, effectively giving Mhlanga six days to prepare.