National People’s Party (NPP) leader Badih Chaaban on Thursday made his third appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court for allegedly throwing a cup at former NPP official Johan van der Merwe.
According to the charge sheet, the incident happened in September last year, but the document gave no further details.
Chaaban (47) appeared before magistrate Menze Tyulu, who warned him to return to court on March 20.
His trial had been scheduled to start on Thursday, but his attorney since his arrest on September 21 last year, Van Zyl Loots, has since passed away, according to prosecutor Xolisane Philisane.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Chaaban was represented by attorney Cornell Stander, who asked for a postponement to obtain particulars of the alleged incident.
Stander asked the court not to schedule the case for trial for March 20 as he might want to make representations to prosecuting authorities for the withdrawal of the charge.
The magistrate told Van der Merwe, who had come to court expecting the case to start, that it was not necessary for him to be at court on that date.
He would be informed when next to attend court, the magistrate said.
Tyulu also warned the prosecutor to ensure that Van der Merwe, and any other state witnesses, were properly subpoenaed to ensure their presence when the trial started. — Sapa