South Africa’s Travelgate case postponed CAPE TOWN

Cape Judge President John Hlophe on Monday granted a defence proposal to postpone Parliament’s Travelgate trial.

Hlophe postponed the case to October 17. Twenty-eight people – 23 current and former MPs and five travel agents – packed the court dock to face allegations of defrauding Parliament of some R24 million.Earlier in consultation in the judge’s chamber, the defence teams for the accused discussed a possible postponement, which would have seen the trial start on June 4 next year.Lead prosecutor Jannie van Vuuren said the state was ready to call its first witness on Monday.”The trial date was arranged more than a year ago,” said Van Vuuren, indicating that the state had informed the accused that the trial would proceed as one prosecution.Nampa-SapaTwenty-eight people – 23 current and former MPs and five travel agents – packed the court dock to face allegations of defrauding Parliament of some R24 million.Earlier in consultation in the judge’s chamber, the defence teams for the accused discussed a possible postponement, which would have seen the trial start on June 4 next year.Lead prosecutor Jannie van Vuuren said the state was ready to call its first witness on Monday.”The trial date was arranged more than a year ago,” said Van Vuuren, indicating that the state had informed the accused that the trial would proceed as one prosecution.Nampa-Sapa