Gen's attacker still not heard
2003-04-02 23:52
Erika Gibson
Pretoria - The assault case against a defence force lieutenant, suspected of beating a general until he ended up in hospital, was postponed on Wednesday because the military court manager failed to appoint two assessors.
The case will continue on Friday. Lieutenant Mthunzi Nkonki of the army's engineering formation is facing six charges.
Three of the charges are related to the alleged assault of Brigadier-General David Masters, commanding officer of the formation. Nkonki is also suspected of using threatening language and behaviour to the detriment of military discipline.
Nkonki allegedly assaulted Master in his office in February after an argument over his promotion.
Masters was treated in hospital for cracked ribs and later underwent an operation for internal bleeding. He is still on sick leave.
According to the charge sheet, Nkonki allegedly said he wasn't afraid of him and that he would "fuck up" Masters. He apparently threatened to kill him before kicking Masters down a staircase.
Nkonki was demoted from captain to second lieutenant in 2000 when he was found guilty in another case. He has been promoted to lieutenant since.
The other charges against Nkonki are related to allegations of misappropriation of a military vehicle to drive to a bar and alleged drunkenness on military grounds.
A charge of indecent or riotous behaviour was filed after he allegedly urinated in the basin of a colleague's room.
Nkonki was earlier found guilty of using threatening language, the illegal removal of government property, insubordination, ignoring a legitimate order and defamation.
- Beeld