Assegai accused takes the stand

THE KIMBERLEY man who allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death with an assegai last year, yesterday testified in his own defence in the Northern Cape High Court.

This is after the State closed its case against Shadrack Tshite Boikanyo, 44, who is charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Lerato Olifant, 27, in Galeshewe last year.

The State closed its case after Judge Johan Olivier yesterday refused a request by the State to call a psychiatrist to present a joint report, compiled by three psychiatrists, following an inquiry into Boikanyo’s criminal responsibility for the murder.

Boikanyo is pleading “non-patho- logical lack of responsibility (incapacity)” for the murder.

His legal representative, Ferdi van Heerden, objected to the report being presented as evidence on the grounds that one of the psychiatrists who took part in the assessment, had been suspended.

Olivier ruled that the report was thus “irregular” as the suspended psychiatrist took part and had input into it.

He ruled that the report, as well as its content, was inadmissible.

The State thereafter closed its case but did indicate that it would attempt to present a report from an “independent source” after the defence had called its witnesses.

Boikanyo was yesterday the first witness to be called by the defence.

He testified that “things” Olifant did in the relationship had caused him much agony and distress.

He highlighted problems such as her ex-husband threatening him and her alcohol abuse, which, he said, had forced him to leave his job at the Galeshewe Day Hospital.

“Her ex-husband threatened me and even once came to my work and told me that he would kill me. The stress and embarrassment of his abuse, as well as the pressures of work and my relationship with Lerato, made me decide to quit my job. I resigned as I wanted to be at home when I was not feeling well and wanted to look for help,” Boikanyo stated.

He added that he received therapy and medication for stress and post-traumatic stress disorder.

He is expected to continue with his testimony today.