Defence lawyers in UFH corruption case want matter struck from roll
Thirteen people returned to the Dimbaza Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where they stand accused of having a hand in dodgy tenders at the university.
Picture: Pixabay.com
JOHANNESBURG - Defence lawyers in the Fort Hare University corruption case want the matter struck off the court roll.
Thirteen people returned to the Dimbaza Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where they stand accused of having a hand in dodgy tenders at the university.
They were among a group of 15 arrested during the Easter weekend for racketeering, fraud and corruption.
Two others have since been granted bail.
During court proceedings, defence lawyers raised some issues about discrepancies in the arrest warrants for some of the accused.
They claim the warrants state that some of the accused should appear at the East London Magistrates Court and not in Dimbaza.
This would mean the court in Dimbaza has no jurisdiction to hear the matter.
But the prosecution is opposing the bid to have the case struck off the court roll.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the crimes were committed at Fort Hare University campuses in East London and Alice.
The NPA said the issue about jurisdiction was therefore neither here nor there.
Judgement on the application to have the matter struck off the roll will be heard on Thursday.