Update

GEORGE NEWS - The five accused in the War on Waste case will appear in the George Regional Court again on Monday 3 October for a pre-trial*.

There have been several attempts this year to get the ball rolling, but administrative issues such as the pagination of documents and the provision of all the copies needed by the defence caused delays.

The accused are former George municipal manager Trevor Botha, former director of community services Walter Hendricks, former George mayor Melvin Naik and two municipal officials, Wessel Robertson and Rowan Botha. 

They made a brief appearance in court last Thursday, 28 July, when a new date for a pre-trial was set.

The Hawks Serious Commercial Investigation served the five accused with court summonses in September 2020 on charges of fraud, corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act. The charges relate to Naik's mayoral project, War on Waste.

Hendricks is represented by a Cape Town law firm, Davidson Badrodien Attorneys. Trevor Botha, Melvin Naik, Wessel Robertson and Rowan Botha are represented by Clayton Samson of Jansen & Samson Attorneys in George. The case has been heard by Magistrate Emma Moloro and Adv Xolile Jonas is acting for the state.

* A pre-trial is a proceeding held by a judge, magistrate or arbitrator before a trial, to simplify the issues of law and fact and stipulate certain matters between the parties, in order to expedite justice and curtail costs at the trial. In the War on Waste case it will give all parties a chance to make sure they have what is needed to start the trial.

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