MAN APPEARS IN COURT FOR MURDER OF A MINOR
Reply Ngobeni (27) from Rainbow in Bushbuckridge, made his third appearance before the Bushbuckridge Magistrates’ Court for the murder of his 5-year-old cousin, Testimony Manchidi. This comes after the accused took the victim to a local shop to buy snacks on July 25, 2023. The accused returned alone and informed the family that the victim went to play with other children in the neighbourhood. The family became worried and started a search and later discovered the victim’s lifeless body in the nearby bush with her throat slit and stab wounds on the upper body.
The accused was appearing for a formal bail application, which the state initially opposed due to the seriousness of the offence the accused is charged with, however, his legal representative told the court that the accused is not mentally stable, and requested the accused to be taken for mental observation. State prosecutor Asanda Soduka told the court that the state has hospital records proving that the accused is receiving medication. Therefore, all parties involved agreed to postpone the matter to 01 September 2023, for mental observation to determine the accused’s fitness to stand trial.
The National Prosecuting Authority condemns the violence perpetrated against women and children.
