Livhuwani Madadzhe’s case was back in court on Monday, 9 February, with his legal representative appearing on his behalf in the Thohoyandou High Court, sitting at the Waterval Magistrate’s Court.
Madadzhe, popularly known as SABC Livhu, was not present in court. His attorney, Khuliso Negota, made a brief appearance before Judge President George Phathudi, after which he clarified the status of the matter in an interview with Limpopo Mirror.
Negota said Madadzhe is expected to appear in person again on Friday, 13 February, when the case may start afresh before a new judge. He explained that confusion had arisen from two separate cases involving Madadzhe, which also led to uncertainty on the part of the accused.
According to Negota, the confusion dates back to proceedings after 8 May last year, when Judge Thogomelani Tshidada recused himself from the matter. Following that recusal, the court separated the counts in the case. The fraud charges, to which Madadzhe had already pleaded guilty, were separated from other charges that were meant to start afresh. These charges include murder, grievous bodily harm and defeating the ends of justice.
Madadzhe pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud, while the remaining charges were placed on a new roll under a different case number.
After the Constitutional Court ruling earlier this year, the matter was effectively reset. The new case number was enrolled, and Monday’s appearance dealt with administrative issues relating to the fresh start of proceedings.
Negota said the case is now awaiting the allocation of a new judge, and Friday’s appearance will determine whether the matter formally begins again.
Last month, the Constitutional Court reinstated Madadzhe’s bail after setting aside a series of rulings made by Judge Tshidada in November 2025, including the cancellation of bail. The apex court found that Judge Tshidada should not have continued presiding over aspects of the case after issuing a case management directive earlier in May.
As a result, decisions relating to the separation of charges, sentencing proceedings and the revocation of bail were invalidated.
Madadzhe was released from Matatshe Prison on 22 January following the ruling. His bail remains in force under the same conditions as before, although the state may apply afresh for its cancellation before another judge.
Sentencing on the two fraud counts remains pending.