Malalane attorney's fraud case: Failure to secure legal counsel results in another delay

The Citizen

6 days ago

The fraud trial of suspended attorney Zietta Janse van Rensburg was postponed again today (July 23) after she appeared in court without legal representation.
The case has faced numerous delays since July last year, several of them due to her failure to secure legal counsel.
ALSO READ: Trial postponed again: Zietta Janse van Rensburg returns to court in June
Magistrate postpones attorney's fraud case to September
Magistrate Jacob Mamabolo asked about her legal representation and who Janse van Rensburg had indicated as her attorney during her previous appearance.
She replied that Johannesburg-based attorney Marco Lamberti had been appointed and that his contact details had been shared with the state.
'He has another matter in Randburg but was due to be here today,' Janse van Rensburg explained.
Mamabolo's response was to postpone the matter to September 1 – and he instructed Janse van Rensburg to appear with a legal representative.
'Are you aware that at the present moment, you are by yourself?' he asked.
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Before she could respond, state prosecutor Tobie Steyn intervened, questioning the accuracy of her claims.
'Ms Janse van Rensburg is placing certain information on record as if it is the truth,' said Steyn.
He went on to say that he had been contacted by Adv Hennie van Rensburg, who had read in a newspaper article that he had supposedly been reinstated as her legal representative.
Steyn said the accused then started sending him WhatsApp messages and emails on the matter. He told the court that he had never spoken to Lamberti but confirmed that he was copied on an email.
'But it is not my responsibility to confirm with her lawyer,' he added. He requested that the court reiterate the need for the attorney to appear personally to be placed on record.
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Mamabolo further instructed Janse van Rensburg not to have direct contact with the prosecutor.
'Only a witness may contact a prosecutor. You are absolutely not allowed to, and it is uncalled for. Should the complainants hear of this, they will not be happy,' he said.
In response, Janse van Rensburg told the court she had taken it upon herself to make arrangements to save costs, since Lamberti would otherwise have to appoint a corresponding attorney to attend in his absence.
ALSO READ: The Onderberg's Zietta van Rensburg implicated in 'serious misconduct'
Mamabolo reminded her that she had the right to apply for Legal Aid, appoint her own lawyer, or represent herself.
'If you want to continue on your own, it's also fine,' he said.
Janse van Rensburg confirms Joburg attorney for September court date
He then asked her to suggest a date when her attorney would be able to appear in court.
Janse van Rensburg said she was in a difficult position and requested permission to step outside and call Lamberti. The magistrate declined to adjourn the matter for this reason, but the prosecutor suggested that the case stand down briefly to give her the opportunity.
Janse van Rensburg returned with confirmation that Lamberti would be available on September 1 and said she had already instructed him to represent her.
Lamberti is the same attorney who previously withdrew from representing murder accused Sonell Joubert after not receiving payment for his services.
Lowvelder attempted to reach Lamberti for comment, but he was unavailable at the time of publication.
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