A new defence advocate was expected to be introduced in the Jeppe massacre trial on Friday.

On Thursday, Johannesburg High Court Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng instructed Siyanda Mgomezulu to apply to the Legal Aid Board for a new representative, as his lawyer had failed him and undermined the integrity of the legal system.

The ruling was made after Mgomezulu's advocate, Mlungisi Buthelezi, failed to appear in court on time. It was not the first time Mgomezulu was late for the trial, having delayed proceedings on Wednesday as well.

"This court will not be held to ransom by a counsel who switches off his phone knowing the case starts at 10am... he has done it before."

"In my view, his conduct is not worth representing you in this matter so I'm going to afford you an opportunity to appoint a new lawyer... even if this matter is postponed for six months for the new lawyer to go through the records," Mokgoatlheng said on Thursday.

Having convicted five men earlier this week, the judge was due to hand down judgement against Mgomezulu and six other men when the matter was postponed on Thursday.

Sapa