Pictures at the South Gauteng High Court in
Johannesburg on 28 June 2019.
Courtesy of Imtiaz Ahmed Cajee
Joao Rodrigues made another appearance (See timeline below) at the South Gauteng High Court on Friday, 28 June 2019 relating to the criminal case against him in the 1971 murder of anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol. The 1972 inquest ruling was overturned by Judge Billy Mothle on 12th October 2917 that found that Timol was murdered and did not commit suicide. Rodrigues was charged on the 30th July 2018.
A court date for the criminal case was not set as Rodrigues’s legal team is applying for leave to appeal after the full Bench of the South Gauteng High Court rejected his application for a permanent stay of prosecution on 3rd June 2019.
Monama J was scathing in his remarks, noting that the bills of all three counsel for Rodrigues, the only surviving police official charged in the matter, was paid by taxpayers. (A PAIA has been submitted to the Dept of Justice to ascertain the legal costs incurred).
Legal teams were instructed to meet next week in the Judge’s chambers to expedite the court case.
The Judge also referred to the 47 year wait of the family to Timol get justice. Rodrigues bail has been extended and his next court appearance is set for the 2nd August 2019.
Timeline:
26 June 2017
Re-Opening of the Timol Inquest
12 October 2017
Ruling handed down and 1972 Verdict overturned
30 July 2018
Rodrigues charged and 1st court appearance in Johannesburg Magistrate Court
18 September 2018
Rodrigues Court Appearance at South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg
15 October 2018
Rodrigues Court Appearance at South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg
22 October 2018
Rodrigues Court Appearance at South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg
20 November 2019
Meeting in Chambers
28 January 2019
Rodrigues Court Appearance at Palm Ridge Court, Germiston
28 & 29 March 2019
Application for Permanent Stay of Prosecution (342A) Argued at South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg
03 July 2019
Judgment handed down at South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg
28 June 2019
Rodrigues Court Appearance in South Gauteng High Court – postponed to 02nd August 2019
Ends….
Issued by Imtiaz Ahmed Cajee – Nephew of Ahmed Timol
