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UNJUST: The lawyer for Louis Mabokela, front, has bemoaned the fact his client had travelled a long distance for the case against him. PHOTO : ANTONIO MUCHAVE

 Spear case probe drags 

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This was after the prosecutor, Frederick Beukes, requested yet another postponement of the case, stating that the investigating officer had not submitted all the required documents.

Magistrate Johan Engelbrecht was presiding over the case of Louis Mabokela, 25, and Barend la Grange, 58, who allegedly defaced Brett Murray's painting at the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg on May 22.

The two accused, who have been reported not to have collaborated on the widely publicised defacing of the painting, are facing charges of malicious damage to property.

Engelbrecht questioned why the investigation had not been completed because both the accused had fixed addresses.

"The investigation must be completed as a matter of urgency. [Failing which] the court will strike the matter off the role. The accused have fixed addresses," the magistrate said.

He said police incompetence resulted in justice not being delivered on time because the courts had to wait until police concluded their investigations.

Mabokela's lawyer, Krish Naidoo, said it was unfair for his client, who had travelled from Limpopo to attend court in Johannesburg, to go back without the matter being heard.

"This is the second postponement. He [Mabokela] travelled all the way. But the case was not heard.

"We believe that justice must be seen to be done. It is not fair that he travelled all this distance and the state is not ready to proceed," Naidoo said.

Mabokela was accompanied by his uncle, Stephen Sefofa, and a friend, Simon Matshipo, to court.

Engelbrecht postponed the matter to September 4.

Comments

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Tue May 21 14:33:19 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 29, 2012

lindsay

you may find that they don't investigate this case deliberately, they hope that they will get promoted by the spear if they don't do their job but then are there any detectives in Pretoria?
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Jun 29, 2012

Mellow

Mabokela's lawyer, Krish Naidoo, said it was unfair for his client, who had travelled from Limpopo to attend court in Johannesburg, to go back without the matter being heard.
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And what did he complain having to travel all the way from Limpopo just to destroy a painting? Dont come with you're petty excuses, police must take their time investigating this case properly anyhu whats there to investigate we saw this stupid man defacing the painting just throw him into a cell already and save us all the bickering
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Jun 29, 2012

Secretary

We believe that justice must be seen to be done. It is not fair that he travelled all this distance and the state is not ready to proceed," Naidoo said.`
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Most people in Limpopo are well known witches, so transport to Jozi should not be a problem at all. They can travel by broom.
I am disappointed that this guy was accompaign by a few while the drug addict who won comrade marathon(Mabolobolo matlala) got red carpet synchrony.

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Jun 29, 2012

Kwankwetla

this idiot boy called mabokela will regret his actions.

it is too early for him to rejoice. From my experience if magistrates/presiding officers lambasts a case or either party, they normally rule in favour of that party at the end of the trial.
This boy will be found guilty and sentenced at the end of this trial..... watch the space.....
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Jun 29, 2012

www.insurance-direct.co.za

Troubled justice hence Khayelitsha Site B residents make use of Kangaroo Courts and the sentence is carried out immediately. Even in these hard economic times there is always petrol there to carry out sentrences
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Jun 29, 2012

JudgeNot

@ secretary
We believe that justice must be seen to be done. It is not fair that he travelled all this distance and the state is not ready to proceed," Naidoo said.`
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Most people in Limpopo are well known witches, so transport to Jozi should not be a problem at all. They can travel by broom.
I am disappointed that this guy was accompaign by a few while the drug addict who won comrade marathon(Mabolobolo matlala) got red carpet synchrony.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
My friend, i think you just a nincompoop, if you don't have anything to say just shut up.
you confuse legal issues with witchcraft as if the town, city or you province has no scandal
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