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Johannesburg – The case against a 50-year-old man accused of robbing a Mexican tourist was postponed in the World Cup Court in Cape Town because the victim had gone to Polokwane to watch a rugby match.
"Now we hear that the case cannot proceed because the complainant has gone to Polokwane for rugby," legal aid attorney Bianca Tosolari said. "Such excuses were not ordinarily acceptable, and there was no reason why the excuse it should be accepted today."
She reminded magistrate Jahstree Steyn that the special World Cup Courts had been set up to expedite cases and ensure speedy justice in terms of the Constitution.
John Odendaal allegedly snatched a camera from tourist Liliana Valenzuela in Long street.
He appeared in court dressed in a flimsy shirt and seemed to be shivering.
Tosolari requested bail for Odendaal as she said he was elderly and sickly and needed to obtain his disability grant on Thursday.
Granted bail
He was later granted bail by another magistrate.
Steyn agreed with prosecutor Dale Andrews that because the victim would only be back late on Friday, it was reasonable to postpone the case to Saturday for plea and trial.
Andrews said the victim was not in South Africa exclusively for the World Cup, and there was no reason why she should not be allowed to enjoy and explore the country as a visitor.
Andrews claimed the value of the camera was R25 000, but Tosolari said the value was only R2 500.
Odendaal would appear again on Saturday.
"Now we hear that the case cannot proceed because the complainant has gone to Polokwane for rugby," legal aid attorney Bianca Tosolari said. "Such excuses were not ordinarily acceptable, and there was no reason why the excuse it should be accepted today."
She reminded magistrate Jahstree Steyn that the special World Cup Courts had been set up to expedite cases and ensure speedy justice in terms of the Constitution.
John Odendaal allegedly snatched a camera from tourist Liliana Valenzuela in Long street.
He appeared in court dressed in a flimsy shirt and seemed to be shivering.
Tosolari requested bail for Odendaal as she said he was elderly and sickly and needed to obtain his disability grant on Thursday.
Granted bail
He was later granted bail by another magistrate.
Steyn agreed with prosecutor Dale Andrews that because the victim would only be back late on Friday, it was reasonable to postpone the case to Saturday for plea and trial.
Andrews said the victim was not in South Africa exclusively for the World Cup, and there was no reason why she should not be allowed to enjoy and explore the country as a visitor.
Andrews claimed the value of the camera was R25 000, but Tosolari said the value was only R2 500.
Odendaal would appear again on Saturday.
