Garden Route corruption charges struck from the roll because the case is “too complex”

by | Mar 21, 2024

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R64 million property fraud case against Garden Route and Knysna municipal managers Stratu and Vatala struck from the roll after judge decides it would be too difficult to try

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A high-profile property case against Garden Route District Municipality’s Municipal Manager Monde Stratu and former Knysna Municipal Manager Sitembele Wiseman Vatala has been removed from the court roll.

Stratu and Vatala appeared briefly in the Knysna Regional Court on Wednesday, 20 March. The case revolves around alleged property transfers, or the lack thereof, between Knysna and Garden Route District Municipality valued at R64 million.

Jerome Bans, attorney for Stratu, expressed his client’s elation at the development, attributing the removal from the court roll to delays on the state’s side. This decision means there is no specific timeline for the case, leaving uncertainty as to whether the state will re-enroll it and, if so, when. Bans noted the toll the case has taken on Stratu’s health and welcomed the relief of not having to appear in court continuously.

The defence requested the case be removed from the court roll, a move opposed by the state. After submissions from both sides, the court sided with the defence and struck the matter from the roll.

Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, clarified the decision:

“The state requested a remand for the representations to be considered by the DPP (Directors of Public Prosecutions) Office. Due to the complexity of the matter and the voluminous docket, the court stated that it cannot be certain that the DPP will arrive at a decision immediately. So, in protection of the accused’s right to a speedy trial, the matter is struck off the roll. It will be placed back on the court roll once the representations have been considered by the DPP Office. This applies to both accused.”

Stratu is represented by Jerome Bans, while Vatala is represented by Sebastiaan Marx of McWilliams & Elliott Incorporated Attorneys in Gqeberha.

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