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Mr Ronnie Rambau.

Stil no progress in Rambau case

Date: 28 August 2015 By: Isabel Venter

No outcome has been reached yet in the case of Ronnie Rambau, the former senior regional magistrate from Louis Trichardt, who stands accused of accepting a bribe to influence a court case.  

Rambau appeared in the Messina Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 August, together with one of his co-accused, ex-prosecutor Estene Willemse. The third accused in the matter, attorney Tivoneleni Edmond Lubisi, was absent due to ill health.

The trio made headlines three years ago when Rambau was arrested during a police trap. They were charged with corruption for allegedly influencing several court cases by means of predetermining the outcome and accepting money for their services.

The case against Rambau, Willemse and Lubisi took an unexpected turn during a previous court appearance when Rambau asked the presiding magistrate to withdraw from the case. Rambau claimed that the magistrate had befriended some of the state witnesses and that this could have a negative influence on the outcome of his trial.

When this application was dismissed, Rambau turned to both the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeals, who also dismissed his application to have the magistrate withdraw from the case.

At the beginning of the year, Rambau approached the Constitutional Court with the same application. This will mean that his criminal case will be put on hold until a decision is made by the court. At this stage, an answer is still forthcoming from the Constitutional Court, and it is unclear when the court will reach a verdict.

After a brief appearance on Monday and Tuesday, al three’s case was postponed until 9 March 2016.

Rambau, the newspaper has learnt in the meantime, is currently making a living as an advocate.

 
 
 

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Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

 
 

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