The long-awaited trial of Hope of Achievers Rehabilitation Centre owner Watson Luandi and his six co-accused was thrown into fresh uncertainty at the Tzaneen Regional Court in Limpopo on Wednesday, after one accused failed to appear and two legal representatives were also absent.
The developments left presiding Regional Magistrate Lamina frustrated and eventually forced the court to postpone the matter to October 22, 2026.
Luandi and the six co-accused are facing a number of serious charges arising from the death of 22-year-old Thato Dikgwatlhe, who allegedly died after being assaulted at the rehabilitation centre in November 2025.
The seven accused are Luandi, Thabang Sello Mokoena, Tshegofatso Mabala, Jacob Mashishi, Kgomotso Malebana, Lucky Phoka and Jonas Modiba.
Earlier proceedings established that Phoka and Modiba were released on bail, while the other accused have had differing bail outcomes.
The first setback came when Lucky Phoka, who is out on bail, failed to turn up for the proceedings.
His legal representative told the court that Phoka had been involved in an accident, leaving the magistrate with yet another problem to deal with before the prosecution could make meaningful progress.
The absence was particularly significant because the matter has already experienced several postponements and complications surrounding legal representation.
To add to the court’s frustration, another legal representative, Mabunda, also failed to appear.
The court was informed that she was on maternity leave.
Her absence further complicated the proceedings, with the court unable to move ahead as had been expected.
The latest development comes after the court had previously expressed concern about the repeated delays in getting the matter ready for trial.
The presiding magistrate had previously criticised the legal representatives over what the court regarded as delays in getting the prosecution process off the ground, making it clear that the matter could not continue indefinitely without progress.
The case has already been affected by disagreements over legal representation, with defence lawyers previously raising concerns about conflicting versions allegedly provided by some of the accused.
Those concerns raised the possibility that some accused might require separate legal representation.
The courtroom drama did not end there.
Tshegofatso Mabala, who had previously been granted bail of R5,000, finally managed to pay the amount and secure his release.
However, when the magistrate asked him to produce proof of payment, Mabala could not produce the bail receipt.
Mabala told the court that he did not have the receipt because it was in the possession of the person who had paid the bail on his behalf.
The magistrate then gave him three days to produce the receipt, warning that failure to do so could result in him being taken back into custody.
Mabala had previously remained behind bars despite being granted R5,000 bail because he had initially been unable to raise the money.
The latest postponement is another setback for a case that has already taken several months to reach the regional court.
The matter was transferred from the Tzaneen Magistrates’ Court to the Regional Court in July, with Regional Magistrate Lamina presiding over proceedings.
The State also added an immigration-related charge against Luandi after the matter reached the Regional Court.
The prosecution alleges that Dikgwatlhe was among patients who escaped from the rehabilitation facility on November 3, 2025, before allegedly being chased, apprehended and assaulted.
The State has previously alleged that, after Dikgwatlhe died, attempts were made to conceal what had happened, including allegations that his blood-stained clothing was destroyed, his body was washed and that it was transported to Mankweng Hospital.
These remain allegations that must still be tested through evidence in court.
The accused face charges including murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and defeating the ends of justice. Luandi is also facing an immigration-related charge.
