Latest news with #Section220
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
NPA addresses public misinformation in Welkom lawyer's rape case
The National Prosecuting Authority has snubbed out public claims that suggested 'nothing has happened in the matter' of a well-known Welkom lawyer who was convicted on charges of rape and sexual-related offences. Image: File The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has dispelled misinformation regarding the criminal proceedings against rape and sexual offences accused Jan Gysbert Maritz, a well-known attorney from Welkom. According to NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane, the recent 'dissemination of misinformation' was noted with concern and in a statement snubbed out public claims that suggested that 'nothing has happened in the matter' or that 'Maritz has not been found guilty'. In an effort to correct the public record, reinforce understanding of the criminal justice process, and protect the dignity and privacy of the victims, Senokoatsane confirmed that 57-year-old Maritz has, in fact, been convicted of multiple serious sexual offences, including rape, by the High Court of South Africa, Free State Division, Bloemfontein. 'Maritz was charged with 18 counts under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007, as well as an additional count of assault. The sexual offences occurred over a period of seven years, from 2007 to 2014, across the towns of Virginia, Welkom, and Odendaalsrus in the Free State Province. All victims of the sexual offences were under the age of 18 at the time the offences were committed. 'On 17 May 2021, Maritz initially pleaded not guilty. However, on 21 May 2021, he made formal admissions in terms of Section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, which were accepted by the court. Based on these admissions, the high court convicted him on 16 counts, including three counts of rape and several other counts involving sexual offences against minors,' said Senokoatsane. Following his conviction, Maritz changed his legal representation and appointed Advocate Dawie Joubert SC, who launched two applications: An application for the recusal of the presiding judge, Judge Naidoo, on grounds of alleged bias; and An application to withdraw the Section 220 admissions, which had formed the basis of the conviction. The high court dismissed both applications, affirming that the trial had been conducted fairly and without prejudice. Maritz's recusal application was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Appeal, and subsequently, the Constitutional Court also declined to entertain the matter, effectively exhausting all avenues of appeal regarding the recusal. Maritz's efforts to withdraw his Section 220 admissions have also, to date, been unsuccessful. Maritz is expected to be sentenced on 6 October, in the High Court of South Africa, Free State Division. The court is set to consider imposing the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. 'The NPA condemns the deliberate spread of misinformation concerning this case. Such actions not only undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system but also risk inflicting further emotional harm and secondary trauma on survivors. The NPA urges all members of the public to refrain from making or disseminating inaccurate statements that may interfere with the proper administration of justice. 'The NPA remains resolute in its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law, ensure justice for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, and hold offenders accountable, regardless of their professional or social standing. The Authority will continue to prosecute all matters without fear, favour, or prejudice,' said Senokoatsane. In the denied recusal application, presiding Judge Somaganthie Naidoo refused to recuse herself from the criminal trial. According to the court record, after Maritz was convicted on his guilty plea he was released on bail with certain conditions, pending sentencing proceedings.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Paramount Shareholder Mario Gabelli Seeks ‘More Equitable Distribution' of Shari Redstone's Payout in Skydance Merger
Paramount shareholder Mario Gabelli says he will seek a 'more equitable distribution' of Shari Restone's payout in the $8 billion Skydance merger for the media giant's voting shareholders. Gabelli, who is the second largest Class A Paramount shareholder behind Redstone, believes that Paramount ascribed no value to any of National Amusement's assets other than its Paramount stock in the deal with David Ellison's studio, allowing her to receive 'significantly greater value' than the $23 per share offered to other Class A shareholders. He filed an initial books and records request last July, seeking to determine the exact value of Redstone and NAI's shares. He would later file a formal complaint under a Section 220 demand after telling the Delaware court that Paramount had refused to produce certain electronic documents, including communications, that were deemed 'critical' to his effort. Following a trial, a judge from the Delaware Court of Chancery determined earlier this month that Gabelli's Value 25 mutual fund 'stated and proved a credible basis to suspect wrongdoing,' but stopped short of ordering Paramount to provide any additional documents. As of Jan. 31, Paramount produced nearly 6,000 pages of records for Gabelli's initial request. As of March 19, he'd received nearly 10,000 of those documents, which included board and committee-level minutes and materials, director questionnaires and draft public filings. The production of documents remains ongoing. 'Justice Brandeis said it best: 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant,'' Gamco Investors co-chief investment officer Chris Marangi said in a statement on Wednesday. 'It has become clear that NAI directed the transaction to Skydance and in doing so secured additional compensation for their voting shares of Paramount that was not offered to other shareholders.' Gabelli's effort, dubbed Project Fishbowl, is being pursued on behalf of over 700 clients. A Paramount spokesperson declined to comment. Other Paramount shareholders who have called out the deal include The Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island, who the Delaware Court ordered the media giant to turn documents over to for a similar investigation into potential corporate wrongdoing, Scott Baker, who has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit arguing the Skydance deal could cost shareholders $1.65 billion in damages, as well as the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS), which believes the damages could exceed that figure. In addition to the books and records request, Gabelli has asked the FCC to pause its review of the transfer of broadcast licenses in connection with the transaction as his firm conducts its investigation into 'potential fiduciary and/or federal securities violations.' The Skydance deal has faced additional objections from The Center for American Rights, and Fuse Media, which Skydance has asked the FCC to dismiss, as well as Project Rise Partners, which has made an alternative offer of $13.5 billion to acquire Paramount. Skydance has said the latter's bid is 'belated' and 'unserious' and contains 'overwhelming evidence of fraud.' Separately, President Donald Trump has called for CBS News' broadcast license to be revoked and is suing the network for $20 billion over a '60 Minutes' interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. CBS and Trump are in settlement talks and have reportedly agreed to a mediator. The Skydance deal, which was initially set to close on April 7, has triggered its first automatic 90-day extension. If the deal is not closed by July 6, the deadline will be automatically pushed another 90 days to Oct. 4. After that, if the deal is still not closed, or if a regulator blocks the merger or one of the parties involved breaches the terms of the agreement, then Skydance and Paramount will have the option of terminating the deal. Exercising that option would leave Paramount on the hook to pay Skydance a $400 million breakup fee. The post Paramount Shareholder Mario Gabelli Seeks 'More Equitable Distribution' of Shari Redstone's Payout in Skydance Merger appeared first on TheWrap.
