Thieves take law in own hands
2003-11-24 19:27
Johannesburg - The High Court office of Judge Max Labe, presiding in the trial of Fanwell Khumalo, who is claimed to be South Africa's worst child serial rapist, was burgled at the weekend.
This emerged in court on Monday when Judge Labe was delivering a ruling in a defence application for Khumalo's discharge on nine of the 132 charges against him.
The judge pointed out that his clerk was not present in court on Monday as she had "gone to make a statement" after the weekend burglary. It was not yet known if any important documents were missing.
The trial will resume, with Khumalo taking the stand to present his evidence, on January 26 next year, the first day of the first High Court session for 2004.
The 41-year-old chef has steadfastly maintained his innocence claiming mistaken identity.
Three discharges have been granted. He now faces 129 counts of raping 43 victims.
- SAPA