Mulbarton kidnapping case postponed as defense attorney remains ill to appear in court
The accused, who faces a charge under the Immigration Act, was instructed to apply for legal aid after his attorney failed to appear in court due to illness.
A joint operation by law enforcement led to the rescue of 12 boys and the arrest of a foreign national suspected of kidnapping and aiding illegal foreign nationals on January 5.
The accused appeared in the Booysens Magistrate’s Court on October 12.
The charge against the accused falls under Section 42 of the South African Immigration Act, which strictly prohibits aiding, abetting, assisting, or enabling an illegal foreigner to stay, work, or operate a business in the country.
Legal representation
His attorney was not present in court, and the accused said he had not contacted his lawyer since his last appearance in July.
The court heard that the defence attorney has been ill and could not appear in court.
The accused has opted to wait for his attorney’s health to improve even though he was advised to continue with a legal aid attorney.
The court instructed him to apply for legal aid at his next appearance.
The court postponed the case to October 27.
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