The South Gauteng High Court was shocked into silence on Wednesday morning when Jackie Selebi’s counsel asked Judge Meyer Joffe to recuse himself from the trial.
‘I now have the unpleasant task to ask for your recusal, M’Lord,” advocate Jaap Cilliers told Joffe at the beginning of proceedings on Wednesday.
Cilliers asked Joffe to adjourn the matter until October 29 to allow both parties to file court papers in the application.
A stone-faced Joffe agreed to the request, ordering both parties to file their heads of argument by the close of business on October 28.
Selebi’s shock application comes after Joffe expressed concern on Tuesday that the trial was being influenced by outside parties who leaked secret videotapes to the media.
City Press reported on Sunday on the existence of a third video showing drug-lord Glenn Agliotti in conversation with intelligence bosses.
If Joffe agrees to recuse himself, the trial will have to start from scratch.
Selebi faces two counts of corruption and defeating the ends of justice related to payments of at least R1,2-million he allegedly received from convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti, former Hyundai boss Billy Rautenbach and slain mining magnate Brett Kebble.