Emotions run high as Brickz rape sentencing proceedings postponed

EMOTIONS ran high among relatives of convicted rapist and kwaito artist Sipho Charles Ndlovu‚ popularly known as Brickz‚ outside the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court during sentencing yesterday.

Brickz’s wife‚ Nqobile Ndlovu‚ struggled to fight back tears as she was greeted by a frenzy of journalists and cameras shortly after magistrate John Baloyi granted a postponement in the sentencing.

A close relative said outside court Ndlovu was too emotional to address the media.

Ndlovu’s family found it hard to take sides as they still had a relationship with the victim‚ who was 16 years old at the time of the incident, she said.

“Knowing the child and the kind of person she is‚ there was always a possibility that it’s true.

“We couldn’t believe it‚ but we couldn’t take sides. We are family and we have been put in a difficult position.”

The relative said they were hoping that the truth would finally be revealed‚ as Brickz had promised this.

She said the family did not have any expectations about the sentencing and were OK with any judgment handed down to Brickz.

“If he is guilty‚ even 20 years is okay‚ because the damage he has left on the child is big.

“Imagine being 16 and raped by a family member. Her future has been affected.”

The relative said the victim had been trying to cope with the ordeal and was in therapy.

Meanwhile‚ Brickz’s new lawyer, Pieter du Plessis, told journalists that a social worker had been appointed to his case.

When the musician appeared in court again on August 1‚ they planned to apply for bail during the sentencing proceedings.

Shortly before court proceedings got under way, Brickz seemed to be in an upbeat mood as he chuckled and spoke to his legal representatives.

Brickz was found guilty last week of rape after a trial lasting almost four years.