Durban — The defence for a convicted inmate alleged to have sourced the hitman for an uMlazi Court employee for the murder of her husband could not be present on Thursday in the Durban High Court and was yet to hand over to the State a statement relating to his charges.
Khulekani Cele, 45, who is incarcerated at Ebongweni C-Max prison in Kokstad for murder on the last occasion the matter was in court, his defence said the accused wanted to expedite proceedings and plead but not on all counts. This was while widow Faith Ntombela indicated that she wanted to tender in a statement in respect of all counts.
The duo’s co-accused iMpumlana Primary School principal Sithembiso Justice Khumalo, 53, who is alleged to have assisted Ntombela in finding a hitman to kill her husband will not be making any admissions, this could see a separation of trial play out.
Metro Police Captain Zwelakhe Thomas Ntombela, 50, was shot and killed in his uMlazi home by hitman Mandlenkosi Mzo Ntombela allegedly hired by his wife.
Mzo was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in August last year by the Durban High Court and he revealed information on who sent him to kill Captain Ntombela.
Yesterday, (Thursday) the pre-trial continuation for the three was adjourned to later this month for Cele’s defence to get the statement to the State which already had Ntombela’s statement.
“The State is happy to go to trial if it does not get the necessary documents. To be fair to the accused, his defence must have time to work on the statement. Unfortunately, Khumalo and Cele are helpless passengers in the matter till this plea issue is resolved,” said senior State Prosecutor Advocate Krishen Shah.
Cele, from KwaMaphumulo, is allegedly a dangerous hitman, who organises hitmen for criminals while he is in jail.
It’s alleged that prior to the incident the officer’s wife commenced a romantic relationship with Cele and at some stage, she requested him and Khumalo and others to murder her husband in exchange for money and a Suzuki.
All three of the accused are charged with murder and two counts of the Contravention of the Firearms Controls Act.
Faith alone is additionally charged with two counts of theft and defeating the ends of justice and theft of her husband’s gun which she allegedly handed over to kill her husband.
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