KNYSNA NEWS - One of the suspects in the murder case of Knysna councillor Victor Molosi appeared briefly in the local magistrate's court on Thursday 30 August.
During Vela Dumile's first court appearance, he said he would abandon bail and requested Legal Aid representation – but then changed his mind and said his family would assist with the legal costs. The court appearance last week was meant for him to meet with his lawyer and take instruction.
Trembling as he entered the courtroom, Dumile was advised by magistrate Zukiswa Hans that the matter had already been postponed to 12 September and 18 September and that his appearance on the day was for his lawyer to confirm his representation, which appointed lawyer Thabo Nogamane had apparently already done earlier that day.
Nogamane represented one of the men arrested in the high-profile murder case of Anni Dewani, on her South African honeymoon. The suspect Mziwamadoda Qwabe was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in jail for his role in the crime, in terms of a plea and sentencing agreement.
There was a bit of confusion in court as to whether Dumile would appear or not as state prosecutor Phumlani Gqalangile told interested parties that Dumile would not be appearing and advised them to go home – just as Dumile entered the court with shackles around his ankles.
Before he was dismissed, Dumile raised his hand and requested to be transferred to the Oudtshoorn prison. “In the Knysna prison I was refused my medication and the prisoners from here assault me,” he said, shaking so much that Hans told him to sit down. Dumile continued, saying that his co-accused, Knysna councillor Velile Waxa, is also kept in Oudtshoorn.
When the magistrate asked a police officer in court if transferring Dumile to Oudstshoorn would be a problem, the officer replied that transport becomes an issue because the two cannot be transported to Knysna in the same vehicle as they are suspects in the same case.
Hans then said if the accused is to be kept at the Knysna prison, a way must be found for him to receive his medication and his safety guaranteed.
The 37-year-old is due to appear in court again on 12 September with co-accused Mandla Tyololo, Mawande Makhala and Waxa.
Read a related article: New magistrate for Molosi murder trial
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