GERMAN fugitive Jurgen Harksen’s bail application in the Cape Town
Magistrate’s Court halted abruptly on Saturday, after a night of drama in
which the defence team had to obtain a Cape High Court order for access to
him in the Goodwood prison.
Saturday’s proceedings before Magistrate Ingrid Freitag were to have started
at 10am, but were delayed when the vehicle transporting Harksen from the
prison broke down.
When the hearing finally resumed, the new defence team, advocate Koos Louw
and attorney Zirk Mackay, said they would approach the Cape High Court next
week about the magistrate’s refusal last Friday to order the appointment of
a new prosecutor, to replace Jasper Tredeaux.
Because Tredeaux is only available on Thursdays and Fridays, the defence
wants him replaced by someone who is readily available.
Freitag said the appointment of a new prosecutor would delay the hearing
even more, as he or she would need time to study the court record.
The defence fears that the bail application may not be finalised by the time
Harksen’s extradition appeal is heard by the Cape high court on May 24.
Louw told the court the defence team, together with Harksen’s wife, finally
got access to Harksen in prison on Friday night, after an urgent application
before Judge John Foxcroft, in
chambers.
He said the approach to the High Court meant a further waste of time, and
that the atmosphere at the prison wasn’t conducive to an adequate
consultation.
At Louw’s request, the proceedings were postponed to May 10. Tredeaux said
he had no objection to the postponement, but that he may have to contend
later that Harksen was abusing the justice process, ”for motives that are
not yet clear”. – Sapa