/ 8 February 2008

Mother of slain Kes pupil weeps in court

The mother of murdered King Edward VII (Kes) high school pupil Mfundo Ntshangase wept in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday when the case against seven teenagers was postponed.

The seven accused have to produce their birth certificates at their next appearance.

Ntshangase’s mother Nonhlanhla (40) said: ”Magistrate, I have to speak. I am the mother of the child who was murdered and I know that there is a child here who is 18 years old. Please, something has to be done … I have spoken to the prosecutor.”

Ntshangase was stabbed last September at a party in Randburg. He died in hospital.

Six of the accused were sent into the custody of their parents and one was sent to a place of safety. He was previously denied bail and was in custody prior to his court appearance on Friday.

As the guardians of the seven accused announced their names to the magistrate, Nonhlanhla wept uncontrollably and had to leave the courtroom to compose herself.

She was seen reading a book called Healing the Past before the case started. She is also the deputy director of the Gauteng education department.

The case was postponed to March 7 in order for some of the accused to obtain legal aid. — Sapa