A trial date is expected to be set at the next court appearance of ANC leader, Simphiwe Hlafa and his co-accused, Mthokozisi Magwara and Nokuthula Mkhize.
The trio appeared briefly in Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on 21 July and their matter was postponed to 31 July, where it is expected that a trial date will be set.
The defense’s bid to have charges withdrawn against accused number three, Mkhize, was declined by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Defense attorney, Kazamula Mathe wanted charges to be withdrawn against Mkhize as he said she was not directly involved in the alleged crime and was just an employee of the two other accused. The trio are facing charges of two counts of fraud and theft.
The State alleged that the trio defrauded potential home buyers of thousands of rands, acting under false pretense of being estate agents.
The State alleged that they defrauded their victims of R165 000 and R187 000 respectively.
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
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