By OBAKENG MAJE

24 January 2025- The Johannesburg High Court postponed the bail application by Michael Harry Lomas to 29 January 2025 for further hearing. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) legal representative placed it on record that he is a suicide risk.

The IDAC spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said this is informed by his failed bid to avoid extradition to South Africa from the United Kingdom, wherein he engaged the service of a private psychiatrist, who testified that he was not fit for extradition, citing his possible suicidal state. Mamothame said the state further believes the accused is a flight risk based on his suspicious travel out of the country through Namibia, back to the United Kingdom in 2018, while investigations had started in 2017.

“He further failed to voluntarily hand himself over to the South African authorities after a warrant for his arrest was issued. He instead opted to fight his extradition to evade trial,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com