The trial against the five men accused of killing Bafana Bafana captain, Senzo Meyiwa will start afresh before a new Judge on Tuesday.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng will take over the case after Judgement Tshifhiwa Maumela went on sick leave just before his suspension.
On Wednesday, Judge Mokgoatlheng postponed the case to allow the defense lawyers to address outstanding issues with the legal aid and for a pre-trial hearing.
This after the state prosecutor George Baloyi asked for a postponement to deal with pre-trial hearings and for defense to deal with outstanding issues with legal aid.
‘Now the second point my Lord is that we have agreed that the matter should stand down until tomorrow. There are a few aspects that my colleagues would like to iron out regarding the affair with the Legal Aid Board. We have indicated to my Lord that we don’t have a problem in the matter standing down until tomorrow for them to iron out the issue regarding legal aid,” said Baloyi.
The Judge ordered that the pre-trial hearings must start on Monday and the issue with legal aid must be expedited to ensure the trial resumes.
The men of trial are Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli and they have not pleaded.
Mokgoatlheng told the five men that they can bring a fresh bail application as the trial starts afresh.
“In the spirit of the new proceedings. You are advised that you have the right to apply for bail. What happened in the past is the past. The only caveat is that if any of you want to do that, this court can’t entertain a bail application because it has ceased with your trial. Arrangements will have to be made for another Judge to hear your bail application,” said the Judge.
