Durban — A 26-year-old man, who allegedly stabbed and killed a woman who had apparently intervened in an altercation between him and his girlfriend, is expected to plead guilty in the Regional Court in Pinetown next week.
Nqobile Nzimande is alleged to have killed Nozipho Ndokweni in Nazareth on February 5.
On Wednesday, in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court, the accused was in the dock briefly. The State said when Nzimande had previously appeared in court, the matter had been adjourned for it to be transferred from the bail court to the trial court, the Regional Court in Pinetown.
“On the last occasion the accused through his lawyer told the court that he wanted to plead guilty,” said the State.
The State also indicated that Nzimande’s matter was ready to be transferred to Regional Court two.
Nzimande was refused bail in March and during his bid to be released, he told the court that his personal circumstances were that he had three children aged 6, 4 and 1.
He at the time had also indicated that he intended to plead not guilty to the charge against him.
Previously the court had heard from the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Sifiso Mbambo, who had opposed bail for the accused, that there was a likelihood of Nzimande posing a danger to society and witnesses.
Mbambo argued that all witnesses were known to the accused and he would place their lives in jeopardy.
Nzimande made his first court appearance three days after the woman’s murder.
It is alleged that on the day of the murder, Nzimande, late in the evening, had an altercation with his girlfriend and the deceased had intervened.
It is alleged that Ndokweni, in trying to intervene in the couple’s fight, hit Nzimande on the head with a bottle. He then allegedly drew a knife and chased Ndokweni as she ran down the road in fear for her life.
Further, it is alleged that Nzimande had managed to catch up to Ndokweni, and had stabbed her to death. He then allegedly fled the scene and went to his uncle’s house in Nazareth.
The State in court indicated that the postmortem had been filed, while DN A and the scene photo album were still outstanding.
The matter was adjourned to next Wednesday.
Daily News