Jam-Jam’s boyfriend charged with murder
Defence argues that charges against Ntula should not be connected
LINDA Ntula, the boyfriend of Aviwe Jam-Jam – a young mother found dead in Athlone – has been charged with her murder. Ntula made his second appearance at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Friday. He faced an attempted murder charge and malicious damage to property.
The hearing was set for a bail application. However, the State shocked Ntula, his family and lawyer when it announced that a charge of murder was being added.
Ntula was shocked, but remained composed. His family, in the two front rows in the small courtroom, whispered in disagreement while Jam-Jam’s stepfather, Mike Mguga, smiled.
Prosecutor Leandre Spielman said: “The accused is charged for the murder of his girlfriend. The murder matter is running and the director of public prosecutions has been informed of the investigation.
“We request a remand for the matters to be centralised – the murder and attempted murder. The charges will be centralised and possibly taken to Athlone Magistrate’s Court.”
Defence lawyer David Mbazwana argued that the State had time to charge the accused as Ntula was at their disposal.
“We are here to deal with a bail application and only now the State speaks of a murder charge.
“Before provincial police got involved, there were remarks that he will be charged with murder. We were sitting and waiting. We don’t want a remand for the charge to be added and wait another two weeks,” said Mbazwana.
Mbazwana added that the murder charge case was lodged three months after the other charges and therefore should not be connected. The matter was postponed to September 19.
Jam-Jam’s body was discovered in a field in Athlone on July 29. Her family was only informed about her death on August 8.
She had been living with Ntula in Kuilsriver and had previously sought a protection order against him.
On one occasion, Ntula allegedly went to her home in Site C in search of her.
It is alleged he and friends attacked Mguga, leaving him with 12 stitches in the head.
In relation to her murder, police arrested Leroy Morrison, and he was charged with murder and being accessory to the fact. It is believed Morrison was involved in the dumping of Jam-Jam’s body.
He will appear again at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court with Ntula as his co-accused on September 20.
Meanwhile, police are still in search of Zandile Sandlana’s killers. Sandlana was found dead in a field in TR Section in Khayelitsha last week. She was stripped, left with only a bra, and a bottle stuck in her mouth. Sandlana left her home to attend a friend’s party in Site B but never returned.
She leaves her 2-year-old son.