Update

GEORGE NEWS - The five accused in the War on Waste case made a brief appearance in the George Magistrate's Court on Tuesday 16 March, where the case was postponed to 21 April.

The accused include former 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 were served with court summonses by the Hawks Serious Commercial Investigation in September last year, on charges of fraud, corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

The charges relate to Naik's mayoral project, War on Waste.

Botha, Hendricks and Naik have previously proclaimed their innocence in the case.

Eskom's load shedding schedule on Tuesday caused an hour delay in the court proceedings.

Driving from Cape Town to attend court, Hendricks had time to enjoy a cup of coffee with his former colleagues before the court opened at 10:00. The case was postponed to allow the defence to ascertain whether they have all the required documentation in their possession. 

The court heard that the defence is waiting for confirmation from the investigating officer.

Since last year two of the accused, Hendricks and Botha, have changed their legal representation. Botha is currently represented by Regan Brown and Hendricks by a Cape Town law firm, Davidson Badrodien Attorneys. Winston Jansen represents Melvin Naik, Wessel Robertson and Rowan Botha. Adv Xolile Jonas is representing the state.