'Delusional' ex-Blue Bull pleads not guilty
2012-11-19 18:58
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Durban - Former Blue Bulls rugby player Phindile Joseph Ntshongwana pleaded not guilty to four charges of murder, two of attempted murder, kidnapping, and rape in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban on Monday.
Ntshongwana's defence attorney Themba Mjoli submitted a medical report to the court by professor AE Gangat, saying Ntshongwana suffered from a delusional disorder.
Ntshongwana allegedly hacked four people to death with an axe.
He is charged with murdering Thembelenkosini Cebekhulu in Montclair on 20 March 2011, Paulos Hlongwa in Lamontville on 22 March 2011, Simon Ngidi on 23March 2011, and an unidentified man during the period of 20 March to 28 March 2011.
He also allegedly kidnapped and raped a woman on 28 November 2010.
"When the delusions come thick and fast the person loses control and can become aggressive, hostile, homicidal, and extremely violent in his highly charged emotional state where the world of his delusions and hallucinations become one with the real world," Mjoli said.
The report states that a person loses touch with reality and his actions during this psychotic breakdown may not be recalled.
"Delusional disorder persons have impaired impulse to control, they can become suicidal, homicidal, and commit other acts of violence," Gangat said in the report.
The trial continues.
- SAPA
