South Africa: Cape Town lawyer accused of race attack must answer to charges

Cape Town magistrate Venge Qula has refused a bid by lawyer Gary Trappler to have charges against him dropped. Trappler is accused of slashing the car tyres of his neighbour, Thandi Mgwaba, on 19 February 2020.

Mgwaba has said she believed Trappler slashed her car’s tyres because she was black, and was defenceless. Trappler has pleaded not guilty.

At the end of the State’s case last month, through his lawyer Anel du Toit, Trappler filed an application in terms of section 174 of the…