The State's prosecutor, Johan de Nyscchen, informed Judge Martha Mbele, standing in for Judge Pitso Molitsoane, that the judge is still ill.

Advocate De Nysschen proposed that the matter be rescheduled to Monday 7 December for the continuation of the cross-examination of the state’s key witness - Xolisile Botha Mbebeto.

Judge Molitsoane, who has been presiding over the trail where murder accused Stanley Bakili and seven others are appearing for the murder of Siemens, was unavailable for a second day. Judge Mbele postponed the matter as proposed.

She further reminded the state's witness that he was still under oath and should not discuss the matter with anyone. She also warned the accused who are out on bail, as well as those in custody, that their status remains the same. The trial was postponed for the third time this week.

The trial has recently been marred by long postponements and delays which in some instances were caused by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic which brought it to a complete halt.

Siemens - the then MD of the day hospital CityMed - was shot four times assassination-style in the basement parking lot of the Preller Square Shopping Complex in May 2018. Ten men have been arrested for playing various direct and indirect roles in orchestrating and carrying out the murder. Eight of those arrested are standing trial while the others have turned state witnesses.

Since the trial started on 28 October 2019, almost two dozen people took to the stand, including high profile government officials such as Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, the Free State Health HOD David Motau, and former provincial Health MEC Benny Malakoane. They each denied having any involvement or knowledge of bribes being paid by accused number one, Stanley Bakili, on behalf of the deceased for the amendment of CityMed’s hospital licenses to allow for more beds.

 OFM News