One of the men accused of killing controversial advocate Pete Mihalik has been unable to get a lawyer for several months because legal eagles in Cape Town have refused to represent him.
This was revealed at the Western Cape High Court on Friday when Sizwe Biyela, 26, Nkosinati Khumalo, 31, and taxi owner Vuyile Maliti appeared for their pre-trial hearing.
The men face charges of premeditated murder and attempted murder as well as the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The trio were escorted to court by detectives of the Anti-Gang Unit, who could be seen sitting alongside them in the dock.
The state prosecutor told the court that Biyela did not have legal representation while the other two were consulting with their attorneys.
The trio were arrested after Mihalik, 50, was gunned down outside his children’s school in Green Point on 30 October.
ACCUSED: Sizwe Biyela. Picture: Supplied.
Two men approached Mihalik’s black Mercedes-Benz outside Reddam House and fired three shots through the driver’s window.
Mihalik’s eight-year-old son sustained a gunshot wound to his jaw. His daughter, 17, who was in the back seat, was not injured.
After listening to the reports from the prosecutor and two defence attorneys, Judge Gayaat Salie-Hlophe postponed the matter to 24 April, saying: “Accused number one, you will return on that day for a further pre-trial. There has been some difficulties in obtaining legal representation for you.
“Mr Brandt from Legal Aid has indicated that every endeavour will be made to get legal representation for you”.
But top cop sources say as he is accused of killing a prominent advocate, “no lawyer in the Cape Town wanted to defend him”.