Maureen Clifford\'s attorney withdraws for undisclosed ethical reasons

When the trial, originally anticipated to last as long as 18 months, was postponed for the December recess with more than 130 witnesses having already testified, legal counsel speculated that the matter could reach finality by June. Presiding Judge Frank Kroon had specifically requested that the matter commence a week before the official re-opening of the courts on January 25 so as to have a one week head-start in the lengthy case. The State intended to call about 30 more investors to testify. Charged with Clifford are her daughter, Dalene de Witt, and Clifford’s sister, Thelma van Rooyen. Three former managers of Absa bank, Niel Terblanche, Otto Swart, and Gerhardt Visagie, are also on trial in connection with the collapse of Clifford’s investment scheme. The case has been postponed until today pending a decision by the Legal Aid Board on whether it would appoint a replacement attorney for Clifford. Full report in The Herald