Pietermaritzburg - Former domestic worker Emily Mchunu and her co-accused Joshua Nxumalo will stand trial in the Pietermaritzburg high court from November 14 to 25 this year for the murder of local businessman Ashraf Mohideen.
This was confirmed when the two made a brief appearance in the Pietermaritzburg magistrate’s court yesterday and were handed indictments confirming that they will stand trial in the high court.
Meanwhile, magistrate M. Boikhutso also agreed to reduce Mchunu’s bail from R10 000 to R5 000 as she was unable to pay the higher amount and was still in custody despite being granted bail several weeks ago.
Mchunu is facing an allegation that she arranged the murder of Mohideen, who was her late employer. Nxumalo is alleged by the state to be one of two killers hired to carry out the murder.
Mohideen, a well-known businessman, bled to death in the bathroom of his home in James Niven Road, Scottsville, after he was attacked by intruders and his throat was slit on February 25.
Police at the time came across Mchunu tied up inside the house and she portrayed herself as an innocent victim of a house robbery.
Later Mohideen’s son, Jibraeel, confessed that he planned the murder together with Mchunu and alleged she had procured two hired killers, Zandisile Mtshali and Joshua Nxumalo, to carry out the killing.
Jibraeel Mohideen and Zandisile Mtshali are already serving jail sentences after pleading guilty soon after their arrests earlier this year.