Cop murder case postponed
The court case of slain captain Kenneth Poortman, whose body was found in Mabopane by his wife Warrant officer Ann Poortman has been postponed. The defence lawyer for the trio, Advocate Mogashoa withdrew his representation stating that his clients could not afford to pay his legal fees.
Tshegofatso Ngobeni
The bail application for the four men accused of the murder of captain Kenneth Poortman began on a dramatic point at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
First, defence lawyer, advocate Mokgashoa withdrew from representing the four claiming they did not have money to pay his fees forcing Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair to ask the men – Sipho Tlou (25), Thabo Mampa, Themba Mbowane (34) and Steven Meda – if they require a Legal Aid lawyer.
The drama continued with the language the men spoke. Tlou, Mampa and Mbowane had requested a Setswana interpreter while Meda asked for Shona. But when probed further by Nair, it turned out that Mampa and Mbowane did not actually speak Setswana well.
In the end, the accused will have Shona, Sepedi, siSwati and xiTsonga interpreters.
The men are charged with a schedule six murder which raises the requirement for bail. Under normal circumstances, bail is granted when the presiding officer deems it is in the interest of justice but for schedule six, the accused must prove exceptional circumstances to be granted bail.
Court was adjourned for a new lawyer to be found.
When court resumed, Leonie Els from Legal Aid was appointed as the men’s lawyer and her first function was to abandon the bail application for Meda as he has been living in the country illegally since 28 August last year.
Captain Poortman’s body was found on the side of the road in Mapobane last month. His wife Warrant Officer Ann Poortman, who is the police’s media spokesperson went to the scene of the murder as part of her duties without knowing it was her husband who had been found dead.
The bail application for the trio was postponed to Monday 11 January.
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