[WATCH] ‘No court documents stolen in Bushiri case’ – Justice dept

This comes the department caught wind of videos circulating on social media showing a court official quickly grabbing documents from the magistrate’s bench. 

The court official is then seen hurriedly giving papers to another woman. 

The video sparked speculations about the theft of documents from the court. 

Watch the video below:

But Deputy Minister John Jeffery says there was nothing untoward about the official’s conduct. 

“The department conducted a full investigation and in this regard, it can be confirmed that the bench notes of the magistrate are in possession of the relevant court officials. It is standard practice for the clerk of the court to retrieve the charge sheet, as the custodian of the court records, for further processing and storage,” Jeffery explains

“The interaction between the clerk of the court and the journalist seen in the video/images was based on the journalist requesting to have sight of the charge sheet. This is allowed and does not imply that any documents were removed from the courtroom.” 

The self-proclaimed prophet, his wife Mary, Willah and Zethu Mudolo as well as Landiwe Ntlokoane appeared in court on Monday after spending over a week at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre. 

They are facing charges of theft, fraud and money laundering related to an investment scheme. 

“Further, it should be noted that all dockets are held by the National Prosecuting Authority after they have received same from the investigating officer in the South African Police Service.  The docket never get transmitted to a magistrate or judge hearing a matter,” Jeffery adds. 

“Therefore, the docket was not part of the documents that were exchanged between the court officials seen in the videos or images.” 

The case will continue in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday where three members of the group will know if bail has been granted.  

Listen to Jeffery below: