Thohoyandou High Court Judge Thogomelani Tshidada has spoken strongly against the defence lawyer for late arrival in court which led to the delay in the resumption of the murder trial.

Advocate Ntsako Hlungwane was apparently double-booked in different courts on the same day.

He is representing three Radzuma siblings accused in the murder of two  South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu)  leaders in the Vhembe district in what is suspected to be related to the VBS killings.

Judge Tshidada has said that the double booking of Advocate Hlungwane has inconvenienced the trial.

“ Mr Hlungwane had nothing to mention about his unavailability today he is booked in this court he also booked himself in another court. How does counsel do that and fail to approach the two respective judges to alert them of this challenge how possible that he agreed on today’s date on this matter and took another matter before another judge.”

Court previously heard that Radzuma siblings were paid R150 000 for killings of the Samwu leaders: