The Fishrot corruption trial may encounter another delay after defence lawyers requested a two-week postponement to address the issue of plea explanations and responses to the state's pre-trial memorandum.

High Court Judge Moses Chinhengo said that the accused must be given an opportunity to explain their pleas and indicate whether they wish to respond to the pre-trial memorandum.

The state, however, maintained that it is ready to proceed with trial and call its first witness without delay. Defence lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji, representing Nigel van Wyk, stated that responding to the pre-trial memorandum was unnecessary.

Meanwhile, the Chief Registrar had directed defence lawyers to consider trial dates from July, but both Siyomunji and fellow defence attorney Milton Engelbrecht indicated they are unavailable until August due to other High Court commitments.

With the accused having been in custody for five years, Judge Moses Chinhengo has raised concerns that the accused persons have been in prolonged pre-trial detention. "No judicial system should allow an accused person to remain in custody for an extended period without trial," said the judge.