A Zimbabwean student who allegedly tried to hijack a South African Airways (SAA) flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg may opt for plea-bargain proceedings, the Bellville Regional Court heard on Thursday.
The hearing, before Magistrate Johann Lombard, took an unusual turn when University of Cape Town student Tinashe Rioga (21) ended the mandate of attorney Joshua Greeff and appointed attorney Reuben Liddell in his place.
At a previous hearing, Greeff had told the court there was uncertainty about whether Rioga could afford privately funded legal representation and there was a strong possibility that Rioga would need a free legal aid lawyer.
In those proceedings, Greeff said he would personally ensure that the legal aid authorities were approached in time to avoid any delays in the case.
On Thursday, however, Greeff told the court he was forced to withdraw as Rioga had ended his mandate and appointed a new privately funded lawyer.
Prosecutor Wimpie Els expressed dismay at the development, especially as Liddell now needed a postponement to consider how Rioga should plead, and whether the proceedings should take the form of a plea bargain.
The case was postponed to September 7. — Sapa