Tensions in the Roodefontein corruption trial boiled over on Friday when, in a heated exchange, Scorpions prosecutor Bruce Morrison ordered former Western Cape premier Peter Marais to behave in court.
Morrison, leading evidence from a provincial government official on the processes that led to approval of the multimillion rand development, had asked magistrate Andre le Grange for a 15-minute adjournment so that he could prepare a set of documents for the next phase of evidence.
As the magistrate left the court, Marais came forward and complained loudly to his advocate Craig Webster about the break.
Morrison overheard Marais’ complaint, and, apparently thinking he was being addressed, told Marais to speak to him through his counsel.
Marais replied angrily that he had in fact been talking to his advocate.
”Don’t shout at me. You will behave in my court,” said Morrison.
”You adjourn every five minutes,” Marais complained.
”Don’t talk nonsense,” said Morrison.
”That is for my cost, not for the state’s cost,” said Marais before stalking out of the courtroom and slamming the door behind him.
Marais was wearing a red tie on Friday, the same tie he told journalists at the start of the trial ”brings out the fight in me”.
He and his former environment and development planning MEC David Malatsi are accused of accepting thousands of rands in bribes from Italian Count Riccardo Agusta to pave the way for provincial approval of the Roodefontein development, in the environmentally-sensitive Piesang Valley at Plettenberg Bay.
Roodefontein was billed as a golf estate, and was to include a golf course, 400 residential units, a luxury hotel, an equestrian centre and a private nature reserve.
The trial began on Monday with a site inspection.
Since then the court has dealt with two witnesses, partners in the environmental consulting firm hired by the Roodefontein developers, and is busy with the testimony of a third.
He is Dr Steve du Toit, the official in the George office of the provincial environment and development planning department who was the case officer tasked with dealing with the Roodefontein proposal.
Morrison told the court at the start of proceedings on Friday that he expected to complete Du Toit’s evidence in chief by lunchtime, when the court is scheduled to adjourn for the weekend in order to allow the Cape Town-based advocates to return home.
Morrison indicated earlier he intended calling some 16 witnesses in George, before the hearing moves on to Cape Town in the New Year. – Sapa