The trial of foreign nationals accused of illegal gambling and money laundering has been postponed by the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court due to a backlog of cases before the court.
This was revealed yesterday by Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi during court proceedings involving the accused and their attorney Linda Dlamini.
Nhlabatsi explained that the court was currently overwhelmed with old matters that were already scheduled for hearing.
“The court has other engagements today and the trial will not proceed. I plead that you be patient with the court until June 26 and we hope that we would have completed today’s work and created space for this matter,” said Nhlabatsi.
The principal magistrate also raised concerns regarding an interpreter who has been assisting the accused and their attorney.
Nhlabatsi stated that the court did not want to overburden the interpreter with responsibilities relating to the welfare of the accused while also expecting him to assist during court proceedings.
“I will then have to implore the Crown to consider professionalism and provide someone who looks professional to the court, someone who gives the impression that he has come here to work and not just a teenager wearing hanging T-shirts in court,” said Nhlabatsi.
The matter was postponed to June 26 for trial, while the accused were remanded into custody until May 22.
Nhlabatsi further cautioned the accused against talking while the court was in session.
He reminded them that making noise during proceedings was an offence and warned that proper courtroom decorum had to be maintained at all times.
