Griekwastad accused terminates mandate of his legal team

Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo will on Thursday decide whether it is in the best interest of the alleged murderer of the Steenkamp family to go ahead with his judgment after the accused's legal team was fired, according to media report

The 17-year-old boy, who stands accused of killing Griekwastad farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and raping and killing their daughter Marthella, 14, reportedly terminated the mandate of his legal team on Wednesday.

No reasons were given to instructing lawyer Stoffel de Jager and advocates Willem Coetzee and Sharon Erasmus.

De Jager said he believed the team did its job.

"The team's mandate is terminated, we are not fired. We will be in the court today [Thursday] to formally withdraw ourselves," he was quoted as saying.

Coetzee confirmed he received a letter terminating their services.

Beeld reported that Riaan Bode was appointed by the boy's guardian on Wednesday as the new attorney.