Alleged dope dealers' pre-trial postponed

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Five suspects who were arrested on charges of dealing in illicit drugs and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, appeared for their pre-trial in the George Circuit High Court on Monday 31 October.

However, due to issues with legal representation, the case was postponed to later this month.

Four of the accused who had up to now been represented by Clayton Samson of Jansen and Samson Attorneys, on Monday morning elected to apply for legal aid. This means that Samson withdrew from the case.

The fifth suspect, who already applied for legal aid, had no representation on the day as the appointed attorney attended to another case in Cape Town on Monday.

Lindela Lofani (44), Hlalanathi Lofani (46), Bongani Kenny Mgqatse (51), Someleze Nkawule (32) and Simphiwe September Fakilahle (48) will appear in court again on Thursday 10 November for the continuation of their pre-trial.

A sixth accused, Mzimasi Lofani (41), passed away due to natural causes earlier this year.

Lindela and Hlalanathi were arrested in Thembalethu on 31 January. Mgqatse was arrested in Gqeberha on the same day and Nkawule was arrested in Thembalethu a day after his alleged accomplices. They were all released on bail ranging from R3 000 to R6 000 each.

Fakilahle was arrested in Queenstown on Thursday 10 March and did not apply for bail as he is already involved in another pending case, facing drug-related charges in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court. He remains in custody in George.

Their arrests came after an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Hawks teams from George and Gqeberha, George K9 unit, Public Order Policing Southern Cape and Oudtshoorn, as well as Motherwell Crime Intelligence.

According to Hawks Western Cape spokesperson Zinzi Hani, the team had conducted an extensive investigation, targeting a suspected organised crime group that was allegedly sourcing cannabis from rural villages of the Eastern Cape to distribute it in Southern Cape outlets.

The combined value of the cannabis is believed to be millions of rands.

The case serves in front of Judge Derek Wille, Advocate MP Heyns is for the state and the accused's representation still has to come on record.

Hlalanathi Lofani