Rhino poaching ‘kingpin’: Trial adjourned, accused’s bail condition waived

The rhino poaching trial in which Wiseman Mageba and Dumisani Gwala are co-accused was today (Thursday) adjourned to July owing to the State prosecutor’s unavailability because of a family tragedy.

Mageba and Gwala will be back in the dock at Mtubatuba Regional Court on 24 July.

Magistrate Anand Maharaj apologised to the witness on the stand – retired undercover SAPS agent Thatia Moremi, who began his testimony on Wednesday – and to the accused for the adjournment, explaining it was out of his control.

“I was hoping to expedite as many witnesses as possible,” said Maharaj.

Following a request by Gwala’s legal counsel Zwelonke Ngwenya, Maharaj waived his bail condition of reporting to Manguzi police station every Friday.

According to his legal counsel, Gwala sought to have this condition relaxed as he ‘can’t go anywhere to look for work outside the Manguzi and Ingwavuma areas’.

Read the full story in the ZO Weekender and ZO Monday editions…

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