Travelgate proceedings stopped by magistrate
Proceedings in the Cape Town Magistrates Court against two travel agents implicated in Parliament\'s travel scam were stopped yesterday when their lawyers successfully argued that another postponement would prejudice their right to a speedy trial.
The matter has been referred to the Cape High Court, says a report in The Witness. Advocate Francois van Zyl, who defended Schabir Shaik in his fraud and corruption trial, appeared for Estelle Aggujaro, while Theresa Smit appeared for Shamima Limalia. They were opposing an attempt by State prosecutor Jannie van Vuuren to join five different cases into one. In court, appearing in separate but related matters, were legal teams for 21 MPs and former MPs, plus five travel agents who are accused of defrauding Parliament of millions. Van Zyl told magistrate Hennie le Roux that the case against his client had been in court since July, 2004. Noting that the finality principle and right to a speedy trial were guaranteed in the Constitution, the Magistrate stopped proceedings against Aggujaro and Limalia, and referred the matter to the High Court, where it is on the roll for July 31, 2006. Full report in The Witness