Faizel Patel – 06/11/2020
The judge in the trial of João Rodrigues accused of murdering anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol has questioned why the State Attorney’s office is continuing to pay the former apartheid cops legal costs.
Rodrigues made his 18th court appearance on Thursday at the Palm Ridge High Court in Germiston for his role in the murder of Timol in October 1971.
Lawyers for the State and Defence, informed Judge Ramarumo Monama that the decision from the Supreme Court of Appeal is still pending.
Roderigues’ appeal to the SCA was heard on 6 November 2020.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Timol’s nephew Imtiaz Cajee says Judge Monama who sounded frustrated at the lack of progress extended of Roderigues bail
“The Judge Monama highlighted his concerns that the State Attorney’s office refused to cover the legal costs of former President Jacob Zuma and former Crime Intelligence boss, Richard Mdluli, and yet they continue footing the bill for Roderigues. A visible and angry Judge Monama also commented that they he had run out of commentary stating that the prolonged delays was also a painful exercise for the accused João Rodrigues.”
The 82-year-old Rodrigues is charged with Timol’s murder following an inquiry in 2017 where the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the apartheid struggle stalwart did not commit suicide but was rather pushed to his death, while in police detention at the than John Vorster Square in Johannesburg back in 1971.
Roderigues is expected to be back at the South Gauteng High Court on 12 July.
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