Delay in trial of Zim 4

MURDERS: TWO SHOT DEAD DURING PRETORIA HOUSE BREAK-INS

Awaiting court decision on testimony from accused’s wife.

The trial of four Zimbabweans who allegedly murdered two fathers during a crime spree in the north of Pretoria has been delayed by a dispute over whether one of the accused’s traditional wife can testify against him.

Judge Bert Bam yesterday postponed the trial of Danford Ngwazi, Moses Ndlovu, Johannes Phiri and Trust Innocent Moyo to Monday for the decision involving Ngwazi’s traditional wife, Faith Maluleka.

Counsel for Ngwazi maintained that any information Maluleka had against her husband was privileged and could not be used against him.

The state argued that she was a competent witness and although she could not be compelled to testify, she could do so of her own free will.

The accused have pleaded not guilty to murdering school principal Mlandu Mnguni during a robbery at his house in Pretoria North in October 2015.

They also denied guilt to charges of murdering Marius Els during a robbery at his house in Bon Accord on the same night.

The four Zimbabweans are facing 15 charges, ranging from murder to attempted murder, housebreaking and robbery with aggravating circumstances, to the unlawful possession of firearms. –