Ntwaagae Seleka

Ntwaagae Seleka

An attorney representing two members of the South African Democratic Teachers Union yesterday threatened to withdraw from the case because the union had not paid him.

Lesley Ramatshila told the Vereeniging magistrate's court he could not continue defending Moses Senye and Sam Nengwekulu who face charges relating to the June public sector strike.

Magistrate Ebrahim Makda adjourned the case and ordered Ramatshila to consult with Senye and Nengwekulu.

Prosecutor Puseletso Maphomane said the state was ready to continue with the case.

"This matter has been on the roll since June. The state is prepared to resume the trial and all the witnesses are in court.

"It is inconvenient for the witnesses to come to court and for the matter to be postponed."

She said the witnesses were traumatised by the case.

"Every time the witnesses are in court, it is filled with members of Sadtu and that on its own is indirect intimidation," said Maphomane.

Later Ramatshila said he could not proceed because the union had not paid him.

Makda warned he would proceed with the trial with or without the attorney at the next sitting.

Outside court Sadtu regional secretary Ronald Nyathi said the financial issue between the union and Ramatshila had been resolved.

He said Ramatshila would continue to represent the two.

Senye, a teacher at Meadowlands High School, and Nengwekulu who teaches at Spectrum Primary School in Ennerdale, allegedly assaulted Clare Lucas, the principal of St George's Primary in Ennerdale, two pupils and a cleaner during the strike in June.

Lucas was injured during the assault and said she was still undergoing psychological and physical treatment.

Senye and Nengwekulu will appear again on November 20.