Yet another postponement for Welgemoed trial
Welgemoed is out on bail after he was arrested last year July on charges of fraud, kidnapping, impersonating a police officer and more
Yet another postponement on the Victor Barry Welgemoed court case has the magistrate with his hands in his hair.
“This trial was supposed to start today. This case was set out for trial more than six months ago. Please convince me that the accused is not using delay tactics to avoid proceedings,” said a frustrated Magistrate Hans Combrink on Tuesday, August 13 when Welgemoed arrived at court with a new lawyer.
According to the lawyer he was appointed only a few days prior to the trial and he asked for postponement as he needs time to review the case.
Welgemoed is out on bail after he was arrested last year July on charges of fraud, kidnapping, impersonating a police officer and more.
It is alleged that he intimidated foreign nationals, especially Pakistanis and demanded their asylum papers, passports and money. There is also an allegation that he kidnapped one of the Pakistani nationals.
Members from Witbank Police and the South African Community Crime Watch (SACCW) managed to apprehend Welgemoed.
He was arrested and in custody until late November 2018, when he was released on bail.
“This is not a petty matter. We set out three days for trial, as well as a few days in September. I hope that he is not using avoiding tactics to evade court proceedings,” the magistrate added. Welgemoed’s bail was extended until his next court appearance which will be from 2 to 6 March 2020.
