The case against three men accused of allegedly defrauding the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund millions of rands was postponed for the umpteenth time as the men failed to plead.
The accused Maxwell Ramaphosa, Samuel Mfeleng and Jurry Sehunoe appeared today, 26 July 2011 in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court. They were expected to plead, marking the start of a trial that had been characterised by ‘countless’ postponements.
Ramaphosa’s lawyer pleaded with the magistrate citing lack of information for him to proceed with the trial. And his co-accused Mfeleng fired his lawyer Mr Human whom he was provided with by the Legal Aid Board on the eve of the start of the trial this morning. He is expected to make another application or lodge an appeal to the Legal Aid for another legal representative.
Mfeleng’s lawyer declined to disclose the reasons for his expulsion saying he preferred these to remain confidential as this would be prejudicial to the outcome of the trial. Human, however, told the court that he had cautioned his ‘former’ clients of his actions.
The case has been postponed to 17 August 2011 for the new trial date.
The accused are out on a bail of R3 000 each. They face 22 counts of fraud valued at more than R3,8 million and 28 counts of money laundering amounting to more than R860 000.
The Compensation Fund is a business entity of the Department of Labour. The organisation handles cover for compensation of workers injured during work or diseases sustained or contracted by employees during the course of their occupation. The fund also covers for death resulting from injuries and diseases, and related matters that occur during work.
Enquiries:
Page Boikanyo
Cell: 082 809 3195
Source: Department of Labour
