Kimberley – The Steenkamp murder and rape trial has been postponed and will resume in September this year.

Only 16 out of the 91 witnesses have so far been ticked off the list. The defence has yet to cross examine the investigating officer, Colonel Dick de Waal. De Waal testified for a second day yesterday.

The state has indicated that the witness list is subject to change.

The legal representatives of the 16-year-old accused are still deciding whether to call their own set of witnesses and have predicted that court proceedings could continue until next year.

Northern Cape High Court Judge President Frans Kgomo yesterday booked September 2 to 13 for the trial to resume and provisionally another four weeks from October 21 until November 15.

The accused will remain in the care of his guardians.

Kgomo yesterday warned the media not to “cross the red line” by approaching witnesses or potential witnesses.

This follows a Sunday newspaper article where Deon Steenkamp’s sister, Marianne Smith, was interviewed before she had testified in court.

Kgomo stated that media interference would “complicate matters”.

“If it persists, I will prevent the media from attending the trial. Family members participated in various media interviews while one newspaper published a story after speaking to the accused.”