Private prosecution of Thandi Modise: Proceedings postponed to 6 May

Bejani Chauke, Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s advisor, and Capt. Tebogo Mokolobate had to appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 29 April 2019 or face arrest. They were summoned to testify as witnesses in the private prosecution of Thandi Modise, where AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit acts on behalf of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).

Chauke did appear in court and supplied an unsigned written statement. Per agreement with Chauke’s legal representative Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head of AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, had the issued warrant cancelled and it was agreed that this statement be supplemented before 6 May 2019. Mokolobate, however, did not supply any statement and appealed for legal representation during the proceedings. Court proceedings have been postponed until 6 May 2019 to enable Mokolobate to obtain legal representation.

Chauke was Modise’s advisor in the time that the alleged crime was committed. Mokolobate is a captain in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and was the head of Modise’s security at the time of the alleged crime.