The Keetmanshoop Magistrate's Court has adjourned the bail application hearing of brothers George Cloete and Bino Cloete until tomorrow. 

George Cloete, who was the first to testify, pleaded not guilty when the bail hearing began in December last year. 

The brothers, together with Charmaine Cloete, who is George's wife, face two counts of violating the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and illicit trafficking under the Diamond Act. 

During cross-examination on Monday, he maintained he bought several assets confiscated during his arrest in May last year using funds from his cryptocurrency investment. 

The court was told Cloete bought electronic gadgets valued at more than N$100,000 as well as a rifle valued at N$70,000. 

State Prosecutor Iyaloo Haipinge put it to Cloete that he has no documentary proof to substantiate his claims that he generated income from forex trading; no such deposits are reflected on his Bank Windhoek account. 

Cloete countered that he only transferred funds from his investment to the crypto wallet account for security reasons. 

When asked whether he attempted, through his lawyer, to obtain documentary proof for his income from cryptocurrency, Cloete testified that he had given instructions, but nothing materialised. 

He added that his detention and his confiscated electronics have also hindered his ability to obtain documentary proof. 

Conducting his own defence after parting ways with his lawyer, Cloete opposed a request from Haipinge to remand their case until January 12.

Haipinge cited attending to other court matters as the reason for the postponement. 

She added it would be prejudiced to ask a colleague to take over the matter, given its complexity and the extensive research and consultation it required.  

Cloete and his brother opposed the delay, saying the state is an office, not a person, so a qualified colleague can take over. 

Ruling on the postponement application, Magistrate Mulonda Masuku agreed that the state is not an individual and noted that although prosecutors are available, they are unprepared.