Ronnie Rambau, suspended regional magistrate, needs to start afresh with his civil claim against several parties which include the Minister of Police and the National Director of Public Prosecutions. Last week Zoutnet, publishers of the Limpopo Mirror and Zoutpansberger newspapers, successfully applied to the North Gauteng High Court to have the bulk of the claims against them struck off.

Rambau, together with his co-accused, attorney Tivoneleni Edmond Lubisi and ex-state prosecutor Estene Willemse, are currently facing corruption charges in the Musina Magistrate's Court for allegedly trying to influence the outcome of court cases.

Rambau was also accused of compiling a “hit list” and conspiring to have several people, which include state prosecutors and policemen, killed. Following the withdrawal of charges in this case, Rambau opted to sue the police and public protector, stating that he was wrongfully arrested and prosecuted. In the papers, the arrest is described as malicious and without reasonable or probable cause. Rambau’s legal team argued 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

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 demanded R20 million because his reputation was tarnished.

Zoutnet’s legal team opted not to file a plea defending them against all Rambau’s allegations. They argued that in the majority of cases the arguments were either so vague or incoherent that it would have been impossible to formulate an answer. Advocate Christiaan Bester, on behalf of Zoutnet, argued that the paragraphs where the “media defendants” are mentioned, should be scrapped as they are either not compliant with the various court rules or simply make no sense.

The application for an exception was filed and the case was scheduled to be heard on 13 March this year. On the specific day, Rambau’s legal representative said he was not ready to argue the case. Judge Mmonoa Teffo criticised him and said it was his responsibility to have documents in order and file them timeously. The judge then punished him with a cost order on an attorney-to-client basis. The exception application was then postponed to 22 May.

On Tuesday (21st) Zoutnet’s legal team was informed that Rambau will not oppose the application. Rambau's attorney undertook to remove the paragraphs and re-compile the particulars of the claim. Judge AJ Janse van Nieuwenhuizen presided over the case and made it a ruling of the court. He also ordered Rambau to pay the costs relating to the case to Zoutnet.

Rambau’s legal team must now decide whether they want to include the media in their claim once again.