Axe-killing accused ‘delusional’
THE PSYCHIATRIST hired by the defence in the trial of alleged serial killer Joseph Ntshongwana insisted yesterday that the former Blue Bulls flanker was having delusional episodes, was in a psychotic crisis and had lost touch with reality when he allegedly went on a killing spree.
But Professor Abubaker Gangat wasasked to explain why Ntshongwana, when he reportedly believed his mother and sister were poisoning him, had not become aggressive towards them but had instead attacked strangers. He said that when the delusions came “thick and fast”, a person like Ntshongwana would have impaired impulse control, and “anything was possible”.
Prosecutor Rea Mina re- sponded: “Anything is possible. But what is probable? Surely he would attack those who he thinks want to harm him?”
Ntshongwana was arrested in April 2011 and is facing four charges of murder, two of attempted murder, and one each of kidnapping and rape, relating to incidents in November 2010 and March 2011. It is alleged he used an axe to behead three of his victims.
In his evidence-in-chief, Gangat, who assessed Ntshongwana three times while he has been in custody at the Westville Prison hospital, testified it would have been possible for him to behave normally and, for example, drive a car when he left a scene.
But, he said, he should not be held criminally responsible for his deeds because of his history of mental illness.
Evidence before the court was that the bloodied axe had been discovered by police in a disused dog kennel in the garden of the Yellowwood Park home Ntshongwana shared with his mother.
Gangat said that in his opinion this showed he was not carrying out a “well-thought-out plan”.