Blue Bulls 'axe murderer' to go to mental hospital

2011-06-23 13:21

Durban - Former Blue Bulls flanker Phindile Joseph Ntshongwana will be admitted to a Pietermaritzburg mental hospital, the court heard on Thursday.

Ntshongwana, 33, briefly appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court for allegedly axing three people to death in Lamontville early this year.

The court heard that Ntshongwana would be admitted to Fort Napier Hospital on Friday and would be assessed by a state psychologist and a private psychiatrist, who would present a report to the court on August 4.

This, after his father Liston Ntshongwana, a former diplomat and businessman, told the court his son had psychiatric problems which were detected more than two years ago.

He said his son had been treated and counselled in a number of hospitals including the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

Ntshongwana was allowed to leave the court in April when he pushed the police officers who accompanied him to the dock and spoke loudly in gibberish.

Wearing a long beard and long hair, Ntshongwana did not say a word during his court appearance on Thursday.

When Magistrate Anita Naidoo asked if he understood what was being said in court, Ntshongwana stared at her. He appeared calm and did not push the police officers who escorted him.

Ntshongwana’s father was present in court, as were friends and family of his son's alleged victims.

Carrying placards reading "No bail for Ntshongwana", they tried to block the gate which the police used to leave the court building with Ntshongwana.

They said they were tired of the delays, and claimed Ntshongwana was getting preferential treatment.

- SAPA