Ronnie Rambau, the senior regional magistrate who is suing the Limpopo Mirror for defamation, suffered a setback when he was ordered to pay legal costs at the maximum level after asking that an application that served before the North Gauteng High Court be postponed.

Zoutnet, publishers of the Limpopo Mirror and Zoutpansberger newspapers, asked the court last Wednesday to remove the causes of the complaint against them. In the papers filed, Zoutnet’s legal representative argues that Rambau’s accusations are so vague and incomprehensible that it is impossible to file a plea.

The application was opposed by Rambau, but his legal representative was not ready to argue the case and he admitted in court to not being prepared. Judge Mmonoa Teffo criticised him and said it was his responsibility to have documents in order and file them timeously.

Advocate Christiaan Bester appeared on behalf of Zoutnet and argued that the exception application should be heard. When it became clear that the judge would rather opt for a postponement, he asked that a punitive cost order be awarded against Rambau. Judge Teffo agreed and awarded cost on an attorney-to-client basis. The exception application will probably serve before the High Court towards the end of May this year.

The exception application of Zoutnet is currently halting Rambau’s civil case against several individuals and government officials. In April last year, Rambau’s legal team served papers on no fewer than 11 parties, accusing them of, among others, his unlawful arrest and prosecution. In the papers, the arrest is described as malicious and without reasonable or probable cause. Rambau’s legal team argues that, through these actions, he had been deprived of the preservation of his status as a senior magistrate and suffered physical and psychological trauma whilst in jail. He claims just over R21 million in damages from the parties, which include the police officers who arrested him and investigated the case, the national director of public prosecutions and the Minister of Police and of Justice.

Almost as an afterthought, Rambau also sued the Zoutpansberger, Limpopo Mirror and Isabel Venter for defamation. Some of the articles focussing on Rambau’s court appearances were written by Venter. In this case, he demands R20 million because his reputation was tarnished.

Rambau, together with his co-accused, attorney Edmond Lubisi and ex-state prosecutor Estene Willemse, are facing corruption charges in the Musina Magistrates’ Court for allegedly trying to influence the outcome of court cases. The case has been postponed on several occasions and the accused will have to appear in court again on 9 April.