Selebi, who has pleaded not guilty to corruption and defeating the ends of justice, has argued that Judge Joffe was “subconsciously influenced” by a “smear campaign” by the media even before the case started.
DOCUMENT: Selebi's Application for Recusal
DOCUMENT: The State's Heads of Argument
In court papers, Selebi cited the South Gauteng High Court judge’s “rudeness and hostility” towards the defence, as well as the effect of media coverage of the allegations against him.
But Joffe ruled moments ago that he would not step down from the trial.
After going through a brief history of the trial to date, Joffe then answered each of Selebi’s main complaints.
He dismissed each one, saying they were “without merit, ill-founded, unfortunate, incomprehensible”, and simply, ”wrong”.
Joffe said there was nothing in Selebi’s argument to show “actual or a perception of bias”.
The trial resumes on Monday.
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