The former speaker of the Rustenburg city council, accused of stealing cellphones, appeared briefly in the Rustenburg magistrates' court yesterday.

The former speaker of the Rustenburg city council, accused of stealing cellphones, appeared briefly in the Rustenburg magistrates' court yesterday.

The trial against Elizabeth Seduke, 38, and co-accused Godfrey Monaisa, 28, was postponed to November 8 at the request of the defence.

Their bail of R1000 each was extended until their next appearance.

Cornelius Mosito, Seduke's attorney, said the postponement was needed because Monaisa had hired a new lawyer, Obakeng Ngwenya, who needed time to familiarise himself with the case.

Monaisa and Seduke are accused of defrauding the Rustenburg local municipality by renewing the cellphone contracts of councillors who no longer belonged to the council, and which they later sold.

Seduke and Monaisa were arrested in February after Agnes Tsamai, of the Independent Democrats, blew the whistle on their activities. Two other suspects, only identified as Maulwane and Phefo, were arrested in March and pleaded guilty.

Maulwane was sentenced to nine months imprisonment or a fine of R1500 after admitting to stealing two cellphones, and Phefo was sentenced to six months or R1000 for stealing one cellphone. Both paid the fines.

Seven witnesses including Maulwane, Phefo and some councillors of the Rustenburg local municipality will testify when the trial resumes. - Sapa