/ 19 August 2010

Strike results in postponement of Agliotti trial

The trial of Brett Kebble murder accused Glenn Agliotti was on Thursday again delayed in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg due to the public-sector strike.

Judge Frans Kgomo provisionally postponed the matter to Tuesday August 24.

He ordered the state witness from MTN, Hilda du Plessis, to wait to hear from the state before coming to court again.

Kgomo once again apologised, saying the matter was beyond the court’s control.

Shortly before 10am on Thursday a handful of striking court workers protested outside the court, but quickly dispersed.

The tasks affected include stenography and interpreting.

Public servants downed tools after rejecting government’s offer of a 7% salary increase and a R700 monthly housing allowance.

They have demanded an 8,6% increase and R1 000 allowance.

Agliotti is facing four charges, two of conspiracy to murder, one attempted murder charge and one murder charge.

One conspiracy-to-commit murder charge and the murder count related to the 2005 shooting of Kebble in Melrose, Johannesburg. — Sapa