By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@VeliNhlapho.
Former Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini’s trial has been postponed again.
Dlamini is facing perjury charges for allegedly providing false evidence during an inquiry into the social grants crisis.
She has pleaded not guilty.
State prosecutor Jacob Serepo said the state wanted another postponement, this time to 2022.
The state sought the postponement because it had not yet prepared its witnesses for examination.
Serepo added that the only other state witness, former South African Social Security Agency CEO Thokozani Magwaza, was currently in KwaZulu-Natal, and the State would have to make travel and accommodation arrangements for him.
Serepo said the process of arranging travel and accommodation might take about three weeks.
However, Dlamini’s lawyer, advocate Tshepiso Mphahlane, was opposed to the delay. He said the State should have consulted with witnesses when the trial date was announced.
He also accused the State of abusing its power.
Magistrate Betty Khumalo was visibly not impressed with the delays, saying she was not seeing “any efforts on the side of the State to secure witnesses”.
“I am not convinced that the State has put in efforts,” she said, adding that there was also no effort in ensuring that Magwaza was in court.
After taking some few minutes to decide on the matter, the magistrate decided to postpone the case until Friday. She said the State should ensure that it secures its witness.