{
  "id": 10882593,
  "title": "GROUNDUP: Eastern Cape rail theft case — accused changes lawyers for 7th time",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/groundup-eastern-cape-rail-theft-case-accused-changes-lawyers-for-7th",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T07:10:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-30-eastern-cape-rail-theft-case-accused-changes-lawyers-for-7th-time/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "GroundUp reports that Nadir Mohiudeen, accused in a fraud case involving the sale of railway property in the Eastern Cape, appeared in court on Tuesday without legal representation. This is the seventh time he has changed lawyers since the trial began in March last year. Mohiudeen, accused of selling 42km of state railway line to Durban-based company Akisisa in 2012, was arrested in early 2019 alongside former Prasa manager Mthuthuzeli Swartz. Swartz, who stood trial alongside Mohiudeen, was seen in court wearing a hooded mask and clothing, appearing disheveled. Mohiudeen's current legal team, YG & Associates, withdrew on 24 August due to non-payment, and his original attorney, Henry van Breda, was unavailable on the trial dates. The case has been delayed multiple times, with recent setbacks including Swartz's attorneys instructing Mohiudeen to represent himself and the court dismissing his request for a high court review of his case dismissal.",
  "summary": "Lawyers approached by Nadir Mohiudeen say he ‘appears unable to honour his financial undertaking to us’.",
  "key_points": [
    "Nadir Mohiudeen appears in court without legal representation, seventh lawyer change.",
    "Mohiudeen accused of selling 42km of state railway line to Akisisa in 2012.",
    "YG & Associates withdraw due to non-payment, original attorney unavailable."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}