ACC Statment
On 9 February, the trial against five accused for the ‘Christmas Shootings’ in Mdatya village finally started in Mbizana Regional Court. The Court hearings of this case (Mzamba CAS 99/12/2015) were booked for 3 days.
On the first day, the defence lawyer arrived four hours late. The hearings could only start at 2PM and last for 2 hours.
Yesterday on 11 February, the Court hearings started at 11.30. The hearings were interrupted by a power cut after less than one hour.
The Court then decided to postpone the whole case for two months, to 6-9 April, because of ‘load shedding’. This is the eleventh postponement.
No matter how many postponements, ACC will not drop this case. Neither we will not drop the case of the murder of our late Chair Bazooka Radebe that happened next, only three months after the Christmas Shootings, in March 2016. We will pursue them until Justice is served.
In his cross examination, the defence lawyer has tried to turn the case around. According to him, it was the witnesses of the Prosecutor who attacked the accused.
Who was hurt in these attacks? Which cases were opened? We wish the best of luck with this startling line of defence.
The five are accused of attempted murder, assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm and theft.
ENDS
Amadiba Crisis Committee
Spokesperson: Nonhle Mbuthuma 0763592982