Constable Sizwe Clinton Ngema, an eThekwini metro cop charged with stabbing his pregnant girlfriend to death, is facing a legal limbo.
Ngema made his second appearance in the Durban magistrate’s court on Tuesday, where he was expected to file a bail application.
No legal aid assigned for him
But he was dealt a heavy blow when it emerged during the court proceedings that Legal Aid South Africa had not assigned him any legal representation.
This came as it wasn’t immediately clear whether the junior traffic officer had been suspended without pay by the municipality.
Legal Aid only offers free representation to accused who are unemployed or low income income earners.
Ngema is alleged to have brutally murdered his girlfriend, Bianca Yolanda Khuzwayo, by plunging a knife into her upper body. Khuzwayo was Ngema’s colleague in the traffic department.
Allegedly indulged in alcohol before the incident
The tragic incident is believed to have taken place on March 31. It’s not yet clear as to what led to the gender-based violent crime. Police reports suggest that the pair had been indulging in liquor when the deadly quarrel ensued.
In a video, which is now the subject of key state evidence, Ngema is seen assaulting Khuzwayo before stabbing her. Apparently Ngema was not content, as he proceeded to pierce the knife through her body. In the gruesome video, he is seen thrusting the knife until Khuzwayo’s last breath.
He then posted the vicious murder on social media. This caused shock waves across the metro police fraternity, Khuzwayo’’s family, friends, and members of the public.
“The accused also took pictures and videos of the deceased. He posted them on various social media platforms. Ngema also sent it to work colleagues and other people,” reads the charge sheet in part.
State to oppose bail
After a short adjournment, prosecutor Calvin Govender requested the matter be postponed to next week to allow Ngema to straighten his affairs. The state has already said it will oppose the bail application.
Outside the court, members of a women’s organisation staged a picket, baying for Ngema’s blood. In court, Ngema stood quietly in the dock. Khuzwayo’s relatives and members of the public who were inside the court kept murmuring to themselves.
A visibly distraught Ntombi Gasa, who is a relative, spoke to Sunday World outside court. She said: “Uzobathola ontanga bakhe ejele,” (he will meet his peers in jail).
