The High Court in Pretoria has ruled that the fraud trial of two former State Security Agency officials must be heard in open court, overturning an arrangement that had shut out journalists and the public, Daily Maverick reports.
Judge Mashudu Munzhelele's order on Thursday allows the media and public into the gallery, although the state, the accused or the agency can ask for specific secret material to be withheld. The agency was also told to hand over four exhibits immediately. Media groups including Daily Maverick, Media24 and amaBhungane had challenged the restrictions.
Thulani Dlomo and Patrick Mshothola face fraud, forgery and theft charges over R12 million allegedly misused in 2015 under a covert operation said to have targeted opponents of former president Jacob Zuma. The allegations are untested and both men are presumed innocent.
Source: Daily Maverick
