Announcing this in court on December  15, Justice Molai, said however that the dates would be confirmed after he had completed writing outstanding judgments of other cases.

The case would start with heads of arguments' submission by the prosecution, and the defence team as the accused has already pleaded guilty. The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, 1981, gives the court the liberty to opt for submission of heads of arguments, when the accused has pleaded guilty, and is not forced to lead crown evidence against him, the Judge said.

Father Monyau, already serving a 15 year jail term for high treason, is being charged with theft and fraud involving M245,000, belonging to the Clothing and Garments Manufacturers (CGM) factory at Ha Thetsane. The incident is said to have occurred on July 14, 2001.

The indictment says that by having allegedly committed the offence, the accused not only defrauded CGM, but also Nedbank, Lesotho Bank and their employees.

The prosecutor is Mr Henk Louw, while Father Monyau is represented by a senior counsel from Johannesburg, South Africa, Advocate Ishmael Semenya.

03 December 2004