Insults and anger from the accused
Ex-police officer Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu displayed erratic behaviour in the high court in Palm Ridge, Johannesburg, this week. On Monday, she appeared calm but unreceptive to the two journalists in court as she and her lawyer held last-minute consultations ahead of opening their case.
But on Tuesday, when a throng of journalists were present for the start of her defence, she gave the media a show, posing for photos and asking if they were satisfied with the shots they had of her.
She fanned herself, put her hands on her hips and offered different angles, eating crisps while posing.
“I put on makeup just for you,” she told reporters. At one point, she turned her back to a photographer so her buttocks could be photographed.
Later that day she jokingly threw a roll of toilet paper at a journalist, but over the following days her attitude towards the media became less friendly.
On Wednesday, she hid her face with a scarf and expressed irritation at being photographed. As she left the courtroom she repeatedly smacked the hand of a photographer, ordering him out of her way.
As Ndlovu was led into an adjacent courtroom to see her mother for the first time since her arrest in March 2018, she took offence at photographers documenting the moment. Police had handed her a packed prison lunch for the day, and as she wept after seeing her mother, she picked up the plate of food and threw it at a photographer.
By Thursday, Ndlovu’s irritation with the media was even more acute. After court proceedings, as police escorted her out of the court building, she reached breaking point.
With cameras pointed at her as she was about to be led into the van, Ndlovu threw her chips at journalists. She was restrained by the police escort as she lunged at journalists, hurling insults at them.
By Friday, she signalled to journalists as she was being led down to the court cells that she would give them a beating.
On the stand, Ndlovu displayed irritation towards the court interpreter, harshly correcting him on a mistake he had made.
Judge Ramarumo Monama called her to order for her threatening tone. He said he was aware of allegations that she had threatened the lives of the investigating officer and the station commander of Tembisa south police station, where she had been employed.
Ndlovu displayed emotion only when asked about the death of her lover, Maurice Mabasa. She cried uncontrollably and told the court that the pain she felt at losing Mabasa would never subside.