Dad slams murder-trial delays

2003-08-15 08:46

Bisho - The father of a woman who was robbed, raped and murdered has shown his anger at legal delays by storming out of court.

The father of Lydia Mankwente stormed out of Bisho High Court on Thursday, angry about delays in finalising the sentences on the three youths who killed his daughter.

Judge Yusuf Ebrahim on Thursday postponed the case to October 14 so the district surgeon could verify their ages.

Simphiwe Nivathi, 18, was found guilty on Monday of kidnapping, raping and murding Lydia, and robbing her friend, Sithembele April.

Two of his co-accused Nqaba Mabhoza, 20, and Makhwenkwe Sonyashe, 18, were found guilty on rape charges.

The youths' defence counsel told Judge Ebrahim on Thursday that no birth certificates were available for the three.

The judge ordered the defence to have the youths examined by a district surgeon and a radiographer, for an "age determination".

The probation officers' reports on the youths will also be presented on October 14.

'Wheels of justice grind slowly'

On hearing of this development, an angry Wilson Mankwente stormed out of court before Judge Ebrahim had left his seat.

"I am not happy," he said afterwards. "These people were arrested last year. Why are they still disputing ages?"

"My child has died, but they seem to be more sorry for my daughter's murderers. They told me on Monday these laaities (youngsters) would be sentenced.

"Why don't they just set them free," fumed Mankwente.

State advocate Franz Kruger said Mankwente had known that a request for probation officers' reports would be made.

"This normally takes six weeks to compile. I didn't tell Mr Mankwente the case would be finalised today."

He urged the family and community to be patient. "As you know, the wheels of justice grind slowly."

- SAPA