Court confused over 12-year-old’s ‘mistaken identity’ death

There was confusion in the Umzinto Magistrate’s Court on the KwaZulu-Natal south oast on Tuesday morning over whether or not the 87-year-old man accused of killing a 12-year-old boy he mistook for a monkey would appear.

The man was scheduled to appear in court in connection with the murder of Bonginkosi Duma. But a police officer in court said it was unlikely the matter would be enrolled due to a lack of evidence. There was also no clarity from the state prosecutor on whether the accused would take the stand.

Natasha Ramkissoon-Kara‚ a spokeswoman for the National Prosecuting Authority in KwaZulu-Natal‚ was not immediately available for comment.

Bonginkosi was shot dead on Sunday morning while plucking guavas from a tree. He sustained injuries in the upper body and head. His body was taken to a mortuary for a post-mortem. A licensed shot gun belonging to the suspect was seized by the police as an exhibit.