Zietta Janse van Rensburg fraud trial delayed yet again
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
The first question raised by Magistrate Jacob Mamabolo was 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.
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.
ALSO READ: Another urgent application by suspended Malalane attorney
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.
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.
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
16 hours ago
- The Herald
12 pupils injured after 'drunk' scholar transport driver crashes in Randburg
Twelve schoolchildren were injured when a Toyota Quantum scholar transport minibus crashed in Montgomery Park, Randburg, on Monday morning after the driver allegedly lost control while overtaking another vehicle. According to Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Supt Xolani Fihla, the scholar transport diver was driving while under the influence of alcohol. 'He has been arrested and will be detained at Sophiatown SAPS. He faces charges of reckless and negligent driving and driving under the influence of alcohol,' said Fihla No further details such as the condition of the injured pupils have yet been released. TimesLIVE
IOL News
21 hours ago
- IOL News
'The police don't work!' Really? Let's weigh critique against evidence
Members of the South African Police Service preparing for the 2025 State of the Nation Address at the Castle of Good Hope. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers This pejorative chorus echoes from certain corners of society, often lacking context and driven by subjective, biased, and unfair characterisations. These claims, often border on disinformation- and they do a disservice to apparent facts. A simple search reveals the staggering reality: South Africa's correctional centres are critically overcrowded. As of early 2025, approximately 167,300 inmates are housed in facilities built for just 107,346 - an excess of about 60,000 individuals, resulting in an overcrowding rate of 56%. These aren't minor offenders- they include murderers, rapists, hijackers, and other hardened criminals. Let it be made abundantly clear: these inmates did not walk into custody voluntarily. Complex SAPS intelligence-led driven investigations - were coordinated by diligent, dedicated, hardworking men and women in blue, to bring about watertight cases resulting in these convictions. For instance – just recently, we have witnessed no less than noteworthy – prominent cases being brought before courts – whose outcomes were severe convictions – while others are still awaiting trials and sentences – among them they includes: Sibusiso Ncengwa, convicted for the murder of Sindiso Magaqa, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 7 July 2025. His co-accused, Sbonelo Myeza and Mbulelo Mpofana, will face trial in October 2025. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane, executed in Durban on 10 February 2023. Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, a Pretoria-based tenderpreneur, was also arrested in May 2025 following a high-profile investigation. He faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, all linked to a botched hit on actress Tebogo Thobejane. But that's just the surface. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ His company, Medicare24, cancelled by the National Commissioner of Police Fannie Masemola upon realizing that there was something untoward – when it was controversially awarded a R360 million health services tender. In July 2025, four suspects - including alleged mastermind KT Molefe and former police detective Michael Tau - were arrested for the murder of DJ Sumbody, gunned down in Woodmead in November 2022. Firearms recovered from the scene are linked to ten other high-profile cases. Meanwhile, SAPS commercial crime investigators made significant strides: At least 12 Eskom employees were arrested for corruption-related offences in 2024/25, working with NAT JOINTS and internal security teams. Eight Transnet-linked individuals, including former executives, were arrested between July 2024 and June 2025: Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Thamsanqa Jiyane - for a R93 million locomotive tender fraud. Zakhele Lebelo and Phathutshedzo Mashamba - for R10 million in kickbacks. Garry Pita - for irregular payments in the broader procurement scandal. These breakthroughs stem from meticulous investigations into state capture-era contracts - proof that the system works when led and given the support it deserves. We are witnessing progress within state-owned entities - locomotives are transporting people and goods to their various destinations; the restoration of Eskom has brought a halt to loadshedding – whose impact have severely devastated the economy, and energy is fuelling optimism and economic momentum. While internal controls by various state owned entities deserve recognition, we must not overlook the crucial role of SAPS investigators in safeguarding national integrity. Their work against complex white-collar crime is indispensable. To those who peddle cynicism and misinformation: dissent is valid, and holding institutions accountable is necessary. But criticism must be equitable, principled, and evidence-based - not reactive, selective, or prejudicial. 'When criticism is done objectively – with the intention to develop – and empower – will be the first to acknowledge our fallibilities and take corrective measures to improve – service delivery' says the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola. * Thabo Moetji, South African Police Service (SAPS) Media Liaison. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Man sentenced for defrauding Amtola Water Board in tender scam
Mthobeli Ngwenze appeared in the East London Magistrate's Court where the sentence was handed down. A 46-year-old man has been handed a five-year suspended sentence for defrauding the Amatola Water Board in a water tanker tender worth over R215 000. Mthobeli Ngwenze appeared in the East London Magistrate's Court, where the sentence was handed down. Fraud The East London-based Serious Corruption Investigation team of the Hawks secured the sentencing of Ngwenze and his company after they were found guilty of defrauding the Amatola Water Board. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said the case stems from an incident that took place on 26 August 2020, when Ngwenze, acting on behalf of Hard Castle Consulting (Pty) Ltd, knowingly submitted fake vehicle registration documents in a bid to win a service contract. 'The Water Board had made it clear that only proof of ownership of water tankers would be accepted. No leased vehicles or hired trucks were allowed. 'Despite this, Ngwenze submitted forged documents for a vehicle in an attempt to mislead the Board. As a result of his actions, the company was unlawfully awarded the contract and paid R215 776,' Fumba said. ALSO READ: ConCourt sets date for MK party's case against Ramaphosa over Mchunu Guilty After a detailed investigation by the Hawks, Ngwenze and Hard Castle Consulting were charged with fraud, forgery and uttering. Fumba said they both pleaded guilty to the charge of fraud. 'On 25 July 2025, sentencing was handed down in the East London Magistrate's Court. The company, Hard Castle Consulting (Pty) Ltd, was fined R100 000. Ngwenze was sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years. 'The provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, welcomed the sentence and believed it sent a strong message that dishonesty in public procurement would not go unpunished,' Fumba said. Chinese nationals fined Last week, three Chinese nationals were fined a collective R400 000 after the South African Police Services' (Saps) provincial Organised Crime Investigation unit found abalone worth nearly R2 million at an Olierivier Farm premises on 26 April. The men appeared in the Kimberley Regional Court on Thursday for contravening the Living Marine Resources Act and money laundering. They managed to escape prison time after being found guilty and each sentenced to 36 months, wholly suspended per count. ALSO READ: Man sentenced to life for murder of KZN ward councillor
