Magudumana's father turns to her lawyer after legal aid dropped him
Zolile Sekeleni is appearing in court, alongside eight other co-accused including convicted rapist and murderer thabo bester in the Bloemfontein High Court for a pre-trial hearing.
Nandipha Magudumana embraced her father as she appeared at the Bloemfontein High Court on 21 February 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles / Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Nandipha Magudumana's father may be seeking legal representation from his daughter's lawyer after being rejected by legal aid.
Zolile Sekeleni's is appearing in court, alongside eight other co-accused including convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester in the Bloemfontein High Court for a pre-trial hearing.
The court said it may have to proceed with the trial whether or not he can get legal representation.
Sekeleni's application for legal aid was rejected in January this year; however, he insists this was not fair as he cannot afford a private attorney.
READ: Magudumana’s father to appeal Legal Aid decision not to represent him in Bester case
The court has, however, asked Magumana's lawyer, Machini Motloung, if he would be willing to fill in if legal aid rejected Sekeleni's appeal for representation.
The court has heard that Sekeleni will appeal the decision to deny him legal aid.
But Judge Lani Opperman says she's concerned about how this will impact his case, as the new attorney will have very little time to catch up.
Legal aid representative, Sunette Kruger, speaking on behalf of Sekeleni, says she will begin the process of appeal immediately.
"My lady if we get all the documentation I presume I will be able to submit to our national office this week still and then we should be able to get, usually they sit I think it’s the first Wednesday of the month so we should be able to get a result pretty fast my lady so if I can get the necessary documentation from Mr Sekeleni," said Kruger.
The trial date is set for 21 July 2025.