‘Xenophobic’ murder trial to start

The minor will have his rights read to him in accordance with the Child Protection Act

JOHANNESBURG: The trial of the four alleged killers of Mozambican Emmanuel Sithole is due to begin today in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.

The case against Sizwe Mngomezulu, Sifundo Mzimela, Mthinto Bhengu and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named, was meant to start yesterday.

There were, however, numerous delays before it was eventually postponed.

The four allegedly stabbed Sithole, 35, a hawker, to death in a street in Alexandra in April when the country was experiencing a wave of xenophobic violence.

The incident made headlines after photos of the attack were published on the front page of the Sunday Times.

The four accused face charges of murder and robbery.

Members of the media and other people sitting in the public gallery were initially asked to leave the courtroom because one of the accused is a minor.

The media were eventually allowed back provided they did not mention the boy’s name or take any photos of him.

The case was delayed again when the minor’s new lawyer, Tshege Ntake, said: “I was only shown the photographs (to be used as evidence) by the State this morning.

“I need to consult with my client regarding the photographs and get instructions.”

By the end of the lunch break, he had still not been able to consult his client because he was being kept in the youth holding cells under high security.

Magistrate Lucas van der Schyff indicated that when proceedings started today, the minor would have to have his rights read to him in accordance with the Child Protection Act.