GEORGE NEWS - The five accused in the War on Waste case appeared in the Regional Court in George this afternoon, Friday 25 February, for a pre-trial.

The accused are 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.

The state prosecutor and defense's legal representation will meet again on 24 March to make sure any remaining issues are ironed out. The next court date is 22 April.

Adv Marius Gerber, for Hendrick's defense, said previous requests for proper pagination were not met. He said it is not possible to go to trial if everybody is not literally on the same page. Some pages in the documents were missing and some were illegible. Requests for additional information and proper pagination were made as early as May last year. State advocate Xolile Jonas said the state has been nothing but accommodating towards the defense.

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.

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

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