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Leonard Ncube Court Reporter
CHARLES Thomas, one of the Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) leaders facing treason charges will have to wait a bit longer before he is put on his defence because the judge is not ready.
Justice Nicholas Ndou yesterday postponed sine die the matter in his chambers, telling the State and defence counsel to come up with another date.
The prosecutor, Lovack Masuku, who is being assisted by Samuel Pedzisayi from the Attorney General’s Office (AG) said after the postponement: “The judge said we should liaise with the defence for another date and definitely the matter will not go on today. We’ll have to meet.”
The defence team of Sindiso Shepherd Mazibisa, Robert Ndlovu and Advocate Lucas Nkomo from Abameli Human Rights Lawyers had readied itself to lead Thomas’ evidence.
Thomas was in the company of the lawyers with the acquitted John Gazi, now a free man, also in attendance.
Thomas looked disappointed by the delays as he left court.
Losing 2002 presidential candidate Paul Siwela, who is believed to be in Sweden, was not in attendance. He is jointly charged with Thomas over allegations that they tried to provoke an army mutiny and street protests to overthrow the government.
Siwela took full advantage of the relaxation of bail conditions by the AG’s Office to skip the country and claimed in a letter to his lawyers that he was fleeing death threats.
Justice Ndou issued a warrant of arrest against him late last year.
When the case continues on a date to be decided, there is likely to be a separation of trial.
MLF, a controversial pressure group, wants a separate Matabeleland state but its leaders deny plotting against the government.
Online Reporter