Senior Regional Magistrate Ronnie Rambau this week asked the magistrate in his corruption trial to withdraw from the case.

Rambau and his co-accused, attorney T E Lubisi and ex-state prosecutor Estene Willemse, appeared in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Both Rambau and Lubisi, who conducted their own defence, brought an application demanding that the presiding magistrate step down from the case. They claim that the magistrate had befriended some of the state’s witnesses.

At the time of going to press on Wednesday, the court had yet to give a verdict on the three accused’s application. 

In the meantime, the Magistrate’s Commission is very cautious about answering any questions put to them regarding Rambau’s suspension. The Zoutpansberger was, however, able to confirm that Rambau is still provisionally suspended and still receiving his full magistrate’s salary and benefits.