Latest news with #Section35
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Court withdraws charges against John Masukela in Thabo Bester escape case
The NPA has withdrawn charges against one of the accused in the ongoing Thabo Bester escape case. The charges against John Masukela, accused number five and former employee of G4S, have been officially withdrawn. Image: File Charges against accused 5 in the Thabo Bester escape case, John Masukela, who is a former G4S employee, have been officially withdrawn. This revelation emerged during a court session where the State Prosecutor announced the decision, stating: "I am going to withdraw the case against one of the accused. I think we can excuse him, and he can go in peace, and that is accused number five, John Masukela." Bester and his eight co-accused appeared before the Bloemfontein High Court for a pre-trial hearing over charges linked to his 2022 prison escape. The group is facing charges including fraud, corruption, aiding an escape, violating a corpse, and defeating the ends of justice. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Bester and his partner, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, were arrested in Tanzania following his 2022 escape from Mangaung Prison. Magudumana recently approached the Constitutional Court, where she is also challenging the legality of her arrest and deportation. Meanwhile, Advocate Lerato Moela, representing Bester, has requested more time to prepare after the judge instructed him to consult his client after he told the court he might not see the trial through due to financial challenges. "If I may address My Lady on what has caused the delays is that there is an application that is pending dealing with Section 35 on accused number 7. What he is seeking is conducive consultation. There is video footage in the form of a USB that needs to be viewed. What he requires is that he be granted access to this." The judge slammed the delays in the matter after Magudumana's father, Zolile Sekeleni, stated that he does not have a legal representative after Legal Aid allegedly rejected his application for representation in January. "I will have to have a definite something. You can look at this court; there are so many role players who are affected. The administration of justice is affected. So, I cannot go on a maybe. We must either start on the 21st of July or we must make alternative arrangements. The responsibility of finding a legal representative lies with you. I could have attended to other cases. I can't work with this uncertainty," the judge said. Sekeleni indicated that he was not aware of the process to follow to appeal the rejection by Legal Aid, adding that he cannot afford legal fees. "I applied for legal aid, and my application was rejected. It was told I can't get a lawyer, even though I explained that I do not have the funds to pay for a lawyer. My Lord, I was not aware of the process I needed to follow to appeal the Legal Aid rejection. I only learnt of the process now. The person who was assisting me with the process told me he would introduce me to a lawyer. I only got the response late because there was no clear communication, which has resulted in delays," he said. The pre-trial was postponed to July 21.
India Today
05-06-2025
- India Today
We were in touch with Kolkata Police: Sharmistha's father on absconding charge
Dismissing the Kolkata Police's claims that Sharmistha Panoli was absconding, her father, Prithviraj, told India Today TV that he and his daughter had visited Lalbazar -- the headquarters of the Kolkata Police -- as well as the Anandapur police station in the city, even as the same police force declared them absconding and approached the court seeking an arrest warrant against the law arresting Sharmistha Panoli from Gurugram, Kolkata police claimed that the case was duly investigated and several attempts were made to serve notice on her.'The case was duly investigated and, adhering to legal procedures, several attempts were made to serve notice under Section 35 of BNSS to the accused, but every time she was found absconding. Attempts to serve notice as per law couldn't be successful since the accused, with her family, absconded. Subsequently, a warrant of arrest was issued by the competent court, following which she was apprehended lawfully from Gurgaon during the daytime,' Kolkata Police Panoli's father has claimed that the Kolkata Police shared blatant, wrongful misinformation. To refute their claims, Prithviraj Panoli presented two 'visitor slips,' which he says were issued by the Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar on May 15, containing the names and still photographs of both Sharmistha and Significantly, the FIR against Sharmistha Panoli was registered at Gardenreach police station on May 15 and an arrest warrant was issued on May the visitor slips, Prithviraj pointed fingers at the Kolkata Police, arguing that if they were present at the police headquarters, how could his daughter be arrested on absconding charges?Panoli also said that on May 17 they went to their nearest police station, i.e., Anandapur police station, seeking protection from the miscreants as Sharmistha was receiving rape and murder threats in abusive the very same day, Gardenreach police allegedly approached court seeking an arrest warrant against her, claiming the family had absconded."She posted something on May 7 and then deleted it on May 8. On May 15 at around 10:30 am, Sharmishtha and I were sitting at Lal Bazar Police Station. On May 17, I went to Anandpur police station, but I was told that the senior officer in charge was on leave. On May 18, throughout the day, I kept sending messages to the police officer at headquarters who was in contact with me and some messages were sent to Anantapur police station," he also claimed that when the warrant was issued on May 17, he was with the police did not come to our flat. You can ask the security guards of our society. If there is an entry there, then you will find it,' he told India Today."If the police want to send a notice, they can send it through WhatsApp or mail. Neither did I receive any notice through WhatsApp nor through mail," he claimed that while returning to their flat, he spotted seven to eight people lurking suspiciously around his tower. Alerted by the sight, he booked flight tickets to Gurugram for himself and Sharmistha."We were scared because there was no action happening here and online threats were increasing. My daughter was getting calls and messages. By the time we reached Gurgaon, it was around three o'clock in the morning. We booked a hotel next to the airport and were in the city from May 20 to May 30," he even claimed that he was in touch with officials from the Kolkata Police from Gurgaon and Sharmistha even did an internship there between May 22 and 29."We were scheduled to leave for Gurgaon on May 22. However, we left on May 19 out of fear. Suddenly, on May 30, the police arrived there and they said that they had to bring her to Calcutta as there was an arrest warrant. But nothing was shown to us. Even the grounds of arrest were also not shared with us," he Reel
Sunday World
30-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man acted like ‘bull in a china shop' when he grabbed garda and threatened to choke him
Michael Davidson, Meeting House Lane, Linenhall Street, Dundalk, had been walking along the centre of the road in front of a Garda patrol vehicle before the incident occurred. A 43-year-old man grabbed a Garda by the lapels, forced him against a wall and threatened to choke him, Dundalk Court has heard. Michael Davidson, Meeting House Lane, Linenhall Street, Dundalk, had been walking along the centre of the road in front of a Garda patrol vehicle before the incident occurred. He pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public, using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words, obstructing a Garda in the execution of his duty and a Section 35 pedestrian offence at Quay Street, Dundalk, on December 7, 2023. Dundalk Court. Stock image. News in 90 Seconds - May 30th Evidence was given that the defendant was walking in the centre of the road ahead of a patrol vehicle. He stopped and began shouting at it. Mr Davidson refused to move on several occasions before the Garda drove around him, pulled in and got out. The man again refused to move. He was shouting aggressively at the officer and, while being escorted, grabbed him by the lapels and forced him against a wall. He attempted to strike the Garda and said that he would choke him. He referred to 'a previous attack he carried out with a bottle'. There were 51 previous convictions. Barrister Niall Mackin said that the defendant was on medication and had addiction issues at the time. He completed a Turas Counselling Service course and was clean since. Mr Davidson had one child, one grandchild and was carer for his partner. He instructed that he would not be in trouble again. He had €300 to offer. Judge Nicola Andrews said she wouldn't let a situation pass with a charitable donation when a Garda was attacked. The defendant 'was like a bull in a china shop,' the judge added. He was remanded on continuing bail to June 11 for a probation report and community service assessment. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Louth man (43) acted like ‘bull in a china shop' when grabbing Garda
Michael Davidson, Meeting House Lane, Linenhall Street, Dundalk, had been walking along the centre of the road in front of a Garda patrol vehicle before the incident occurred. He pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public, using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words, obstructing a Garda in the execution of his duty and a Section 35 pedestrian offence at Quay Street, Dundalk, on December 7, 2023. Evidence was given that the defendant was walking in the centre of the road ahead of a patrol vehicle. He stopped and began shouting at it. Mr Davidson refused to move on several occasions before the Garda drove around him, pulled in and got out. The man again refused to move. He was shouting aggressively at the officer and, while being escorted, grabbed him by the lapels and forced him against a wall. He attempted to strike the Garda and said that he would choke him. He referred to 'a previous attack he carried out with a bottle'. There were 51 previous convictions. Barrister Niall Mackin said that the defendant was on medication and had addiction issues at the time. He completed a Turas Counselling Service course and was clean since. Mr Davidson had one child, one grandchild and was carer for his partner. He instructed that he would not be in trouble again. He had €300 to offer. Judge Nicola Andrews said she wouldn't let a situation pass with a charitable donation when a Garda was attacked. The defendant 'was like a bull in a china shop,' the judge added. He was remanded on continuing bail to June 11 for a probation report and community service assessment.
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Starmer and Swinney meet with both still working out the relationship 'reset'
The Council of Nations and Regions will meet in London on Friday Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney will meet today, with both parties still confused how to handle the attempt at improved relations. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are working on a "reset" of relations | Andy Buchanan/PA Wire When the Prime Minister first assumed office, his first act was to meet the First Minister, a political move but also one that was deeply symbolic. His Government, the Labour leader was showing, valued Scotland, and it would be fundamental to his thinking, not an afterthought. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Officials in both administrations have talked of a 'reset', and an attempt to improve the working relationship after a dynamic with the Conservatives that was always more political than pragmatic. There were clashes over policy, Covid, and the use of a Section 35 order to block the Gender Recognition Reform act. Sir Keir has sought to repair this, recognising differences but hoping there can be cross-government agreement. Today's meeting of the Prime Minister and devolved national and regional leaders is part of this reset, as the Prime Minister makes the case that his trade deals with the US, India and the EU will 'improve livelihoods' across the UK. As a party, the SNP have struggled in responding to the trade deal. The First Minister lamented he was not consulted, which he wouldn't be as it's a UK trade deal, and then claimed ministers had 'surrendered' on fishing, something his own Westminster leader seemed to distance himself from, saying it was wrong to call it a 'surrender'. The criticism also finds more commonality with the Tories and Reform, and doesn't take into account the view of the trade body Salmon Scotland, who welcomed the EU deal. France is the biggest market for Scottish salmon, and produce can now be sold without veterinary checks. That's the UK Government removing a costly barrier, in a boost to Scottish business. As such, it requires a more nuanced response, something that the First Minister now seems to recognise. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jenny Gilruth and Shirley-Anne Somerville are bidding to retain their seats at Holyrood (Pic: Fraser Bremner-Pool/Getty Images) Ahead of the meeting, he spoke about the need for a 'UK-wide' mission to raise living standards. While he mentioned the winter fuel payment, it is notable he is not calling for Scotland to be emboldened, but rather for a national strategy. The Covid years saw divides on how to respond to a national emergency. The Scottish Government is now willing to collaborate. Regulations on vapes and tobacco come following agreement between the two administrations, the UK Government fast-tracked Holyrood climate change legislation following a request from the Scottish Government, and ScotRail remains in public hands with the Act delivered by the UK government providing strengthened legal underpinnings to Scottish Ministers' powers. The Scottish Secretary has also signed 10 Scotland Act Orders since coming to office. This highlights the tricky balance of having improved relations while still campaigning, something Labour are acutely aware of. In previous years, Labour figures would be lining up to criticise the SNP at every juncture. While there is political criticism, they are now much more cautious, both on and off the record. Senior officials stress that the reset is real, and they genuinely don't want to criticise the people they are working with. It is why some in Government were genuinely surprised to see the First Minister publicly call for the nationalisation of Grangemouth, something that had never been mentioned in the almost weekly meetings about the refinery. There was a feeling that it was a crisis being worked out together.
