The trial of the three Radzuma brothers, who stand accused of the murder of two SAMWU officials from the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) in 2019, was delayed by the Limpopo High Court in Thohoyandou once again on Monday, 29 May, to allow the brothers to find legal representation.
The deceased, Ronald Mani (50) and Timpson Musetsho (50), were gunned down in February 2019, after they criticised the VDM's unlawful investments into the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank.
Simon, Percy and Ndivhuwo Radzuma were arrested in connection with the murder. During their previous appearance, the court postponed their case to 29 May to allow the three accused to find legal representation. They applied for representation with Legal Aid. However, Mr Thomas Madzaga, the head of Legal Aid South Africa's Thohoyandou office, said their applications had been sent for judicare. "Upon receipt of their applications, Legal Aid South Africa gave the matter for judicare, hoping that on their next appearance, all three accused will have someone to represent them. Our [own] Legal Aid practitioners cannot represent them in court as they knew the victims," said Madzaga.
The case was postponed to 12 June.
Mr Hulisani Mani, who represented both the Musetsho and Mani families, said they were worried about the prolonged case, which gave the affected families' members sleepless nights. "Everyone just wants closure," he said.