The Durban Magistrates’ Court building, which also houses the regional court, had no water.

Comment could not be obtained from the court manager, but a staff member at the court canteen said there had been no water since Friday.

“We heard a pipe burst, but we don’t know. Everybody’s got their own story,” she said.

Another court employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was told a water pump had failed.

Dr Genchen Rugnath, his wife Ravina, and their co-accused Sandile Patrick Zweni, Nonduzo Dlamini and Bhabha Dubazini have all pleaded not guilty to 156 charges, including assault, rape, sexual exploitation of a child, and racketeering.

Zweni allegedly to have operated a prostitution ring from Rugnath’s hotel, the Inn Town Lodge.

The case was postponed to Tuesday.