Ngombane trial on hold

2006-03-13 13:42

Bloemfontein - The murder trial of the wife and four relatives of slain senior Free State official Noby Ngombane was postponed in Bloemfontein high court on Monday as further information had emerged in the investigation.

The state asked the court for a final postponement because of information that needed to be followed up which could have a "fundamental" influence on the case.

State advocate Andre du Toit told High Court Judge Arrie Hattingh the information was of a sensitive nature.

Advocate Willem Edeling, for the defence, did not oppose the application, and Judge Hattingh postponed the matter to October 23.

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.

- SAPA