The legal representative of a former prosecutor of the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court who is accused of corruption and defeating the ends of justice, Mr Ratshilumela Leonard Makhado (48), has withdrawn from the case.
Mr Goddard Mugwena, a practicing candidate attorney for AR Madia attorneys, has confirmed that he has withdrawn from representing his client because the latter has not paid the instruction payment.
The magistrate from Tzaneen, Mr David Shikwambane, who was called to preside over the matter as neutral officer, postponed the case to 30 September for further police investigation when Makhado re-appeared on Tuesday (14th).
In a his previous in affidavit, Makhado said that he no longer worked for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and had resigned with his job as prosecutor two days after his arrest. He also told the court that he would plead guilty to the charges of corruption and defeating the end of justice.
Makhado is accused of taking a bribe of R6 000 from an accused in a reckless-driving case, so that he could squash the case. He is out on bail of R5 000.
Limpopo Hawks spokesperson Matimba Maluleke said the money had been meant to make the case disappear and the alleged kickback had been reported to the Hawks, who had swiftly arrested him as soon as he had received the bribe money.