The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it is prepared to move forward with a racketeering trial involving Willah Joseph Mudolo and several co-accused after a court dismissed efforts to block the case.
The matter stems from allegations that initially included Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, before their departure from South Africa.
Following its transfer to the Pretoria High Court, the case has experienced repeated delays, but proceedings are now scheduled to begin on Monday.
Pretoria High Court Clears Way For Racketeering Trial To Proceed
Mudolo and five others face charges including racketeering, fraud and money laundering. The NPA has welcomed the court’s decision, which rejected an application aimed at preventing the state from prosecuting the accused.
In a statement, NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the ruling confirmed there was no basis for the application brought by the accused.
“This application formed part of a broader and ultimately unsuccessful effort to interfere with the prosecution, including attempts to remove the prosecutors from the case.”
According to the NPA, the state has consistently maintained its readiness to proceed, with delays largely attributed to legal challenges initiated by the defence.
Kganyago said these efforts included attempts to review the decision to charge the accused under racketeering laws, as well as bids to contest their arrests and seek the removal of prosecutors.
Court Rejects Claims Against Prosecutors And Criticises Delay Tactics
In its judgment, the court dismissed allegations levelled against the prosecution team and addressed the conduct of the accused.
“The court further found that the criminal charges Mudolo laid against the prosecutors, were a desperate attempt to stop the prosecutor from prosecuting the matter against him,” said Kganyago.
The ruling also made clear that dissatisfaction with prosecutors does not justify their removal. “A prosecutor cannot simply be replaced willy nilly because an accused person is not satisfied with him or her prosecuting a matter.”
Both the review application and related motions were dismissed with costs. Kganyago expressed concern over what he described as repeated attempts to delay proceedings.
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“These tactics have not only delayed the commencement of the trial but have also undermined the rights of co-accused and the broader community to a fair and expeditious resolution of the matter.”
He added that such actions would not prevent the NPA from continuing with the case. “Such conduct reflects a deliberate abuse of legal processes and will not deter the NPA from fulfilling its constitutional mandate.”
Kganyago reaffirmed the authority’s position on pursuing the matter. “The NPA remains resolute in its commitment to prosecute this matter, and all others, without fear, favour, or prejudice.”
