I have a charge of Crimen Injuria against me. The incident happened 31 March 2019. I was in a shop and the queues were long. I approached a man in the shop advising him that it is unacceptable for the express tilla to be closed with such long lines.

My partner and I left the store with our groceries. We forgot an item and my partner went back into the store.  After a long time I phoned him and then went back up. I approached the man again who is a manager at the store. In short I was a very upset customer but I did not make any racial remarks whatsoever. He threatened me stating we should go downstairs so he could sort me out.

My partner and I left and I immediately contacted the store and their head office and I put in a formal compmaint against him. 

On Wednesday the 3rd of April 2019 I was contacted and advised I need to go to the police station as a case had been opened against me for Crimen Injuria. 

Today 15 Feb 2022 will be the 20th time I have appeared in court.  

16 October 2019 was my first appearance. 

26 May 2021 I pleaded not guilty.

I would like to find out what about my right to a speedy trial? 

Out of these 20 postponements, only 2 were due to Covid. The rest of the postponements have been for obtaining video footage which is still not in the states posession. If I recall correctly, 4 postponements due to an interpreter not showing up for court. 

My case has been at 3 different Magistrates.

In January my case was postponed twice in one week just advising me that it is postponed to provide me with a date to appear in court for another postponement. 

I will apparently be testifying today as the state closed their case quite a while ago without the footage and interpreter. 

Please advise if there is anything I could do. The lawyers fees I have had to pay, at this stage is far above R50 000 and I still need to pay for the coming appearances.

Thanks in advance