‘ Owner of world’ sent to chookie

A RANDBURG magistrate exposed herself to legal criticism this week when she sentenced a man who seems to be mentally deranged to three months in prison.

Magistrate Hambokazi Thwele ignored warning bells that Itumeleng Manda (38) might not have been fit to stand trial, let alone to be allowed to conduct his own defence.

Manda had allegedly assaulted a pedestrian along Rivonia Road in the northern suburbs of Joburg in March this year.

Procedurally, the court should have referred the man for mental observation to determine his state of mind before he was convicted and sentenced for assault.

But the court allowed Manda, who appears not to be mentally stable, to conduct his own defence.

When asked what he did for a living, he responded with a grin: I own the

“world ”.

Asked if he had informed his parents about his arrest, Manda said: I don t care

“’ about my parents. I don t

’ know where they live and I do not want to see them.”

Manda further told the court: I do not want children

“and I do not want to get married in response to a ques

” tion about his dependants.

A question by the court on what sentence should be given to him seems to have irritated Manda, who shouted: I can t judge

“’ myself! I can t judge myself!”

’ On handing down judgment on Wednesday, Thwele told him: You do not go

“about hitting people on the streets. You respect them, that s how it is. The fact that

’ you have previous convictions shows that you do not have respect for the law.”

She sentenced him to 90 days in prison without the option of a fine.

A visibly confused Manda left the court looking dazed.

chelemuk@sundayworld.co.za