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PIGG’S PEAK – After failing to convey his explanation to the magistrate, an accused person put it across in a condescending manner.
Thembinkosi Dlamini, who was arrested for theft, appeared before Magistrate Nkosingiphile Maseko, facing two counts.
In the first count, he was accused of stealing items valued at E27 000. He is alleged to have broken into a house and stolen items, mostly electronic, including cellphones.
When the charges were read out to him, he said he would plead guilty, but with reason. He said he would plead guilty but this was later changed to a not guilty plea.
In the second count, he is said to have broken into a house with intention to commit an unknown crime. However, Dlamini disputed this charge, he instead said he had broken into the court.
At this point, he continued to interject so that he could give his version of what happened and why he was disputing the charge. He was asked if he was pleading guilty or not. He then said he would plead guilty.
As the magistrate spoke to him, Dlamini then leaned forward and said; “lalela ye Nkosi ye Nkantolo,” which when loosely translated means ‘listen your Worship’.
Respectfully
The phrase, however, is usually not used to address someone respectfully. It was for that reason that some of the members of the court gallery burst into laughter as Dlamini spoke to the magistrate.
The magistrate then asked Dlamini if he was well. “Are you okay?” asked Maseko. He also asked him where he was from.
Eventually, the Crown Counsel, Zinhle Magagula, recommended that a trial date be set for the matter. The matter was postponed to August 17, 2022.