Möller murder trial delayed
The absence of legal representation for three of the five men arrested in connection with the murder of Hans Möller is delaying the trial.
“The provision of legal aid for accused Gotlieb Panduleni, Elly Ndapuka Hinavali and Malakia Shiweda is delaying the trial and should be attended to. The investigation has been completed and I am placing the matter on the court roll for legal aid and bail,” said Magistrate John Sindano yesterday.
He postponed the case against Panduleni (30), David Tashiya (29), David Shekundja (35), Hinavali (29) and Shiweda (28) to 15 June.
Prosecutor Tresia Hafeni informed the court that lawyer Dube Mpokiseng, who represents Tashiya and Shekundja, could not be present due to obligations at the Regional Court.
“This case is important and Mpokiseng needs to ensure that he is available and in court for the next appearance of the accused,” instructed Sindano.
Panduleni told the court he had applied for legal aid but had not received a reference number yet.
Hinavali said he was waiting for his relatives to deliver his birth certificate before applying for legal aid while the lawyer appointed for Shiweda by the Legal Aid Board is no longer available and must be replaced. Mpokiseng informed the court in February that Panduleni and Shiweda had submitted applications for legal aid and the Legal Aid Board was sorting out their files. He also explained that Hinavali had lost his identification document and said a birth certificate or voter's registration card would be sufficient to ensure he obtained legal assistance.
The accused are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, assault, housebreaking and armed robbery. They arrived at the court handcuffed and with an armed police escort and were once again met by a crowd waving placards and calling for bail to be denied.
Hafeni previously opposed bail stating that the suspects posed a high flight risk and given the seriousness of the crime.
Möller died after he was shot in the stomach while trying to protect his wife, Carol-Ann Sowden Möller, and their two children (aged six and four years) from attackers during an armed robbery at the family's home on 17 June 2016.
OTIS FINCK
“The provision of legal aid for accused Gotlieb Panduleni, Elly Ndapuka Hinavali and Malakia Shiweda is delaying the trial and should be attended to. The investigation has been completed and I am placing the matter on the court roll for legal aid and bail,” said Magistrate John Sindano yesterday.
He postponed the case against Panduleni (30), David Tashiya (29), David Shekundja (35), Hinavali (29) and Shiweda (28) to 15 June.
Prosecutor Tresia Hafeni informed the court that lawyer Dube Mpokiseng, who represents Tashiya and Shekundja, could not be present due to obligations at the Regional Court.
“This case is important and Mpokiseng needs to ensure that he is available and in court for the next appearance of the accused,” instructed Sindano.
Panduleni told the court he had applied for legal aid but had not received a reference number yet.
Hinavali said he was waiting for his relatives to deliver his birth certificate before applying for legal aid while the lawyer appointed for Shiweda by the Legal Aid Board is no longer available and must be replaced. Mpokiseng informed the court in February that Panduleni and Shiweda had submitted applications for legal aid and the Legal Aid Board was sorting out their files. He also explained that Hinavali had lost his identification document and said a birth certificate or voter's registration card would be sufficient to ensure he obtained legal assistance.
The accused are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, assault, housebreaking and armed robbery. They arrived at the court handcuffed and with an armed police escort and were once again met by a crowd waving placards and calling for bail to be denied.
Hafeni previously opposed bail stating that the suspects posed a high flight risk and given the seriousness of the crime.
Möller died after he was shot in the stomach while trying to protect his wife, Carol-Ann Sowden Möller, and their two children (aged six and four years) from attackers during an armed robbery at the family's home on 17 June 2016.
OTIS FINCK
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