Three new defence counsels in Deokaran’s murder case
All accused whose bail was denied will remain in custody.
The Babita Deokaran murder case will be heard in July 2023 and it is set for four months.
This was heard at the Johannesburg High Court on November 18 after three new defence counsels were introduced to the judge for the defence of Phakamani Vincent Hadebe, Nhlangane Phinda Ndlovu, Sanele Mbhele, Siphakanyiswa Dladla, Zitha Radebe and Siphiwe Thabane Mazibuko.
They are Simphiwe Mlotshwa representing accused 1, 4 and 5 (Hadebe, Dladla and Radebe), Menzi Simelane for accused 2 (Ndlovu) and Sanele Sibisi for accused 3 and 6 (Mbhele and Mazibuko).
They agreed that they have received sufficient security paid for the four months set for trial.
State advocate Steven Rubin said he met with the three defence counsels and established common ground. “The accused are all isiZulu speaking and all in custody.
“In terms of media coverage, we agreed that media houses who wish to broadcast the trial must bring an application before the trial and before May 30 next year, as we don’t want to jeopardise any witnesses brought forward,” he said.
Judge Ismail postponed the court case for the trial that will commence on July 17. “You are all in custody. Rubin told me that the trial is set for four months. I’m going to check with the counsels that they have been paid for the duration of the trial.
“The court will not tolerate that when the trial starts and someone said he is not paid. This trial will start like a bullet train. When it starts, it must go on without any stoppages,” he said.
Besides the murder of Deokaran, the six are also accused of the attempted murder of Deokaran’s domestic worker who was in the car with her at the time of the shooting.
Deokaran was returning from dropping off her child at school when she was shot. She was taken to hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
She was a key witness in the Special Investigative Unit’s probe into personal protective equipment corruption in the provincial health department.
WATCH: Forensic report still outstanding on Deokaran’s murder
