Matricide suspect Mark Zinde’s trial has been postponed

MARK ZINDE, accused of murdering his mother, former SABC board member Hope Zinde, briefly appeared in the North Gauteng High Court, in Pretoria yesterday, but his trial was postponed to Monday.

Prosecutor Andre Wilsenach told the court that Zinde had been evaluated by a panel of psychiatrists from Weskoppies Hospital and that their report regarding his mental state was ready.

He said that the report would be handed up to court next month, as the prosecution only received it yesterday morning.

It is understood that the case will yet again be postponed and that he will only go on trial sometime next year.

Yesterday was the first time that Zinde appeared in the high court, as he was under observation at Weskoppies for several months.

Zinde, who had during his previous appearance shouted obscenities at people in court, appeared calm and kempt yesterday, as he sat in the dock.

It is claimed that he killed his 50-year-old mother at their home in Pecanwood Estate, Hartbeespoort Dam, near Brits. Her body was found on June 11, last year, inside the boot of her car.

Zinde was arrested soon after and sent for psychiatric evaluation.

He was initially released on R10 000 bail, but it is claimed that he then assaulted his father, Dr Lebohang Manoto, at his Walkerville home, south of Johannesburg.

His bail was revoked and he was sent for a second mental assessment following the alleged attack on his father.