Ngombane: State seeks delay

2006-03-09 16:48

Bloemfontein - The State will apply for a postponement in the trial of those accused of the murder of Free State official Noby Ngombane, which starts in Bloemfontein High Court on Monday.

Andre du Toit, acting director of public prosecutions in the Free State, confirmed on Thursday that his office had informed the court about the application.

"We will do (file) it on Monday," said Du Toit.

Du Toit declined to give the reason for the postponement at this stage.

Ngombane, a senior official in premier Beatrice Marshoff's office and adviser to two former provincial premiers, was murdered at his Hillsboro home in Bloemfontein on March 22, 2005.

In February this year the State formally charged Ngombane's wife and four other family members for his murder.

Nokwanda Ngombane, her brother and sister, Bongani and Thanthiswa, and two cousins, Vuyokasi Mlambo and Sephumle Booi, were all charged with murder, defeating the ends of justice and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

At Ngombane's funeral in Bloemfontein, Nokwanda claimed that the motive for the murder was political.

Police arrested Nokwanda and her relatives in July last year after the investigation took them to neighbouring countries - places Ngombane visited before his death.

The State plans to call 35 people to testify during the trial which is scheduled for Monday to Friday next week in Bloemfontein High Court.

- SAPA