A Durban Court staff member made his first appearance at the Durban Magistrates Court on Wednesday for allegedly accepting a bribe from eThekwini Municipality worker to assist him and make sure that his child maintenance is not increased.

Thulasizwe Mahlobo and Ebrahim Amod are charged with corruption. The State alleges that Mahlobo met with Amod near the Point area in Durban and he was given an unspecified amount. Mahlobo is a court employee working at the family court. It is alleged that Amod’s ex-wife had taken him to court for spousal and child maintenance. 

A close source said Amod did not want to pay more than what he was currently paying for his child and ex-wife maintenance.

According to the State, Mahlobo’s job was to assist in making sure that both the child and ex-wife maintenance do not increase. 

As the duo appeared, a magistrate from Pinetown Court was called to preside over the matter as the Magistrates from the Durban Court know Mahlobo. 

The defence told the court that they want to apply for bail as their clients were arrested on Monday. It also argued that bail application is urgent. 

However, the State’s control prosecutor Seema Reddy asked the court to postpone the matter as more charges could be added and an additional accused would be brought in. 

Reddy further told the court that the State is opposing the bail of the duo. 

“I do note that the applicants were arrested on Monday and that bail application is urgent, I take that into account. However, I’m inclined to grant the State an adjournment,” Magistrate Mabaso said. 

The matter was postponed to July 14. 

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za

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