Taxi boss's bail hearing delayed as he changes lawyers in SARS prosecutor case
Bail proceedings for taxi boss Kholwani Prayman Ntanjana, charged with attempted murder of senior advocate Coreth Naudé, who was shot while representing SARS during a tax inquiry, were delayed on Tuesday morning at the Durban Magistrate’s Court as he changed lawyers.
Naudé was shot in the neck, face, and shoulder at the Premier Hotel entrance in Umhlanga on July 18, 2024. She had been working on the tax inquiry of Shauwn Mkhize’s son, Andile Mpisane.
Two armed men ambushed Naudé as she drove into the hotel. Despite being shot multiple times, she managed to drive to the parking lot, where a doctor heard her cries for help. Naudé survived but required reconstructive surgery on her jaw.
During court proceedings, attorney Sizwe Cele told the court that he was withdrawing from representing the 35-year-old Ntanjana.
“Funds have not been placed. I can’t bring counsel if I don’t get proper instructions from the client,” Cele said.
He stated he wanted to clarify that he did not double-book himself, contrary to prosecutor Seema Reddy’s claims.
Cele said Reddy refused for them to approach Magistrate Quim De Freitas in chambers so he could update him about the unavailability of advocate Joseph Mashavha.
“It appeared that he had an emergency that led to him missing his flight,” Cele explained.
After Cele withdrew, De Freitas turned to Ntanjana to ask him if he intended to get a new lawyer or represent himself. However, attorney Siya Hlongwane jumped in to say that he is now Ntanjana’s lawyer.
“I have discussed the matter with counsel. My instructions are to proceed with the counsel (Mashavha),” Hlongwane said.
He said he could not proceed with the bail application on behalf of his client on Tuesday.
Magistrate De Freitas, who was confused about this set-up, asked if Ntanjana had paid Hlongwane so the proceedings could continue.
Hlongwane responded by stating that they have been allocated the necessary funds to move forward. He requested that the matter be postponed to early November.
Hlongwane assured the court that they would be prepared to proceed by then.
Reddy did not oppose Hlongwane’s request for postponement. She said the State has no choice but to accept.
Ntanjana’s co-accused, Siyanda Emmanuel Mbulwana and Mcebisi Runeyi, have already been indicted by the Durban High Court after they were refused bail.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za