The case of the five men arrested for malicious damage to property was briefly heard in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ court on 16 April. However, only four of the accused made an appearance and it was revealed that the fifth man was currently in Mozambique and expected back in the country within a week.
It was announced that the assistance of legal aid had been terminated because the funds had run out. The case has been postponed and is expected to resume on 30 April.
Ward 89 councillor Amelia Bester, who was one of the witnesses for the case, said she felt let down by the justice system as the case had been ongoing for close to two years. “It is tough not to get despondent when the justice system lets you down. The estimated value of the damage to the Golf Club Terrace bridge is set at R250 000,” she said.
The men were arrested in October 2019 for affixing heavy steel structures to the Golf Club Terrace bridge in Constantia Kloof.
