Date set for Breytenbach to face the music

The trial of DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach and her former lawyer Gerhard Wagenaar will kick off in July, the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has said.

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Pretoria - The trial of Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament Glynnis Breytenbach and her former lawyer Gerhard Wagenaar will kick off in July, the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court said on Friday.

In a brief appearance before magistrate Kallie Bosch, the duo was notified that their case will be heard in the Pretoria North Regional Court on July 18.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku said the transfer of the case to Pretoria North was “nothing sinister”, but was about the “availability” of the courts.

He also said the State was ready to present a formidable case in court.

“We do not take any matter to court if we doubt our prospects of success,” Mfaku told reporters at the court.

“During the last appearance we provided the defence with the copies of the docket. That signifies that we are ready to proceed. Now the date has been arranged between the State and the defence. We are ready to proceed.”

Last month, two more charges of perjury and fraud were added to the charges of obstruction and defeating the ends of justice when Breytenbach and Wagenaar appeared.

Breytenbach, a former senior prosecutor and head of the NPA’s Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit in Pretoria was officially charged on in February after she handed herself over at the Pretoria central police station.

The charges against the duo relate to an investigation dating back to 2012 when Breytenbach was still employed by the NPA.

The prosecuting authority claims Breytenbach wiped clean her laptop and shredded documents relevant to the internal investigation she was facing. She was later cleared of some 15 charges.

The DA believes the criminal charges are politically motivated. Breytenbach and Wagenaar are out on R10 000 bail each.

African News Agency