The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the state attorney have until Thursday to say if they will pay the legal fees of a former Scorpions boss accused of corruption, theft and fraud.
The trial of Geophrey Ledwaba, former head of operations of the crime-busting Directorate of Special Operations, was set down to be heard over three days in the Commercial Crime Court, but did not begin on Wednesday as his counsel asked for yet another postponement.
Ledwaba’s lawyers said they needed time to get clarity on whether the NPA or the state attorney would pay for his defence.
Ledwaba had previously indicated he would conduct his own defence, but then changed his mind. His former bosses at the NPA and the state attorney indicated they would not pay his newly appointed counsel’s fees. He argues they should since the alleged crimes were committed when he was still working for them.
The NPA and the state attorney’s office, however, kept referring Ledwaba to one another, and magistrate Dawie Jacobs said this was not fair.
He postponed the case for a day, instructing the NPA and the state attorney to indicate in writing whether they would pay Ledwaba’s legal fees. ”I can not keep on postponing for month and months … I need finality,” the agitated Jacobs said.
Ledwaba said he might turn to the Constitutional Court in his quest for financial help from his former employer.
According to the charge sheet, Ledwaba stole more than R500 000 from the NPA. He is out on R100 000 bail. — Sapa