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Lawyer quits baby kidnap case

2-03-2017 Xolani Ntshingila; Nompilo Mpanza and Thokozani Mpanza appeared in Protea Regional Court for alleged kidnapping a baby in Soweto. Photo: SANDILE NDLOVU
2-03-2017 Xolani Ntshingila; Nompilo Mpanza and Thokozani Mpanza appeared in Protea Regional Court for alleged kidnapping a baby in Soweto. Photo: SANDILE NDLOVU

A lawyer representing the nanny and two men accused of kidnapping a toddler during a house robbery in Protea, Soweto, last year has bailed out of the case, citing conflicting accounts of events by the accused.

Andrew Malumane, a legal representative of Thokozani Mpanza, the nanny Nompilo Mpanza and Xolani Ntshingila, yesterday informed the Protea Regional Court about his decision. He said the accused were not sticking to one story.

"I feel I should excuse myself or represent one of them," Malumane, from Legal Aid Board, told magistrate Audrey Mpofu.

They three face charges of kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances relating to the armed house robbery and the kidnapping of baby Siyabonga Mlambo, then aged 14 months, from his home in Protea Glen. The baby was found in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, a few days later. It is alleged the crime was an act of revenge by Nompilo against the father's child. She and Thokozani are related.

The case was postponed to next month.

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