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Gender violence group unhappy with postponement in sjambok murderer’s sentencing

Patrick Wisani acused of killing his girlfriend, Nosipho Mandleleni last year in Youville,at Randburg Magistrate Court, Johannesburg. PHOTO: ANTONIO MUCHAVE/SOWETAN
Patrick Wisani acused of killing his girlfriend, Nosipho Mandleleni last year in Youville,at Randburg Magistrate Court, Johannesburg. PHOTO: ANTONIO MUCHAVE/SOWETAN

Convicted murderer and former African National Congress Youth League Johannesburg chairman Patrick Wisani will be sentenced next year.

On Monday‚ Wisani’s lawyer‚ Cronje Kriel‚ told the South Gauteng High Court sitting in Randburg that he needs a lengthy postponement to prepare his case before his client was sentenced.

Kriel told Judge Mohammed Ismail that he had consulted with Wisani on Friday after being instructed by a Johannesburg-based law firm.

He then said he would need transcripts of the trial before he could prepare for sentencing. He added that he had only been paid for consultation and Monday’s appearance.

Prosecutor Faghre Mohamed said the state had reservations about a long postponement and objected to it being granted.

The judge then told Kriel that he had other matters to deal with and that he has been involved in criminal law for a very long time.

“Let’s call a spade a spade. I can assure you that records can be transcribed. If you want records in two weeks‚ it can be done. Don’t blame transcribing for being a pretext to have a lengthy postponement. I‚ in fact‚ gave you dates in my chambers.

“I will take time to be here when I am off (on) leave. Unfortunately‚ I can’t do the matter on the first week of the term. If it is postponed to the second term‚ it is done at the request of the defence‚” Ismail said.

“We will do everything in our powers to have the transcripts‚” said Kriel.

The case was postponed to April 24 and April 25‚ 2017.

Wisani‚ who represented himself throughout the trial‚ was found guilty by Ismail on November 21 for whipping to death his girlfriend‚ Nosipho Mandleleni‚ 24‚ with a sjambok and a broom stick inside a room they were renting in Yeoville‚ Johannesburg.

 Mandleleni died from excessive loss of blood and blunt force trauma.

He was also convicted on two counts of assault and intimidation after he assaulted Mandleleni’s twin sister‚ Siphokazi Mandleleni‚ and her friend‚ Zimbini Mathibe‚ outside a club in Johannesburg on May 22 this year. He threatened Siphokazi not to testify against him.

His R3000 bail was revoked for contravening his bail conditions.

National Prosecution Authority regional spokeswoman Phindi Louw said they had been looking forward to disposing the matter as speedily as possible.

Maurice Smithers‚ who spoke on behalf of No To Gender Based Violence Coalition‚ said they were not happy with the postponement and it was a costly exercise to come to court often.

Smithers said the postponement will change nothing and they will wait for next year to see Wisani being sentenced.

 

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