MURDER SUSPECT’S MASK RAISES EYEBROWS IN COURT

MBABANE – With the coronavirus outbreak being the buzz word these days, murder accused Maxwell Nkambule raised eyebrows at the High Court yesterday when he arrived wearing a  mask.

It is worth noting that wearing a mask, as per a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is one of the safety measures to prevent contracting the coronavirus.

Nkambule is one of the accused in the murder of Manzini businessman, Jomo Khumalo, who was gunned down in what could be described as broad daylight public assassination near Manzini Traffic Circle last year.

Bail

The accused was at the High Court for the hearing of his bail application.
It was immediately after he entered the courtroom wearing the black litham which covered his neck, mouth and nose that those present in court began murmuring saying he might be applying the precaution measures against the coronavirus. Litham is a mouth-veil which is used, particularly by men to cover the lower part of their face.

Nkambule, who was clad in a navy blue golf T-shirt, blue pants and black leather jacket entered the courtroom escorted by a contingent of heavily armed officers from His Majesty’s Correctional Services and he was in leg chains.

When he entered Court E, which was filled to capacity, with most of those present being hawkers, Nkambule slowly walked in and took a seat without being deterred by the murmurs of those in attendance.  Instead of removing the mask, he put on his glasses and read a copy of the Times of Eswatini while waiting for the arrival of Judge Sipho Nkosi.

Even after the judge had entered the courtroom, Nkambule did not remove the mask. This prompted Judge Nkosi to enquire from his attorney, Osbourne Nzima, why his client was wearing a mask.
“Unless it is for medical reasons, why is your client wearing a mask in court? Please find out from him why he is wearing the mask,” enquired Judge Nkosi.

Consult

In response Nzima informed the court that he would consult with Nkambule to establish why he was wearing a mask. Nzima, however, said his client was a sickly person. The court adjourned without Nzima having stated the reason his client wore the mask.
He, however, hinted to the court that Nkambule suffered from a heart condition.  He informed Judge Nkosi that at the Correctional Services facility his client was allegedly made to sleep on the floor and this was now affecting his joints.

Two weeks ago, Nkambule’s application for bail had to be postponed after he was reported to be indisposed.
The 62-year-old secretary general of the Swaziland Interstate Transport Association was supposed to be in court on Wednesday for the hearing of his bail application before Judge Sipho Nkosi.

However, Judge Nkosi was informed that the accused was not in court and the matter could not be heard. Nkambule was said to be ill and the matter had to be postponed pending his recovery from the supposed sickness.

Nkambule’s co-accused in the murder charge is Senzo Sithole (37) of Mdumezulu. They have both filed applications for bail.
Their applications are pending before separate judges in Judge Sipho Nkosi and Principal Judge Qinisile Mabuza. The Crown has applied that the matters be consolidated and heard by one judge. Khumalo died while being attended to by medical practitioners at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital. His body was riddled with about seven bullets.

Kombis

Khumalo owned a fleet of mini-buses and kombis, which mainly operate between Eswatini and South Africa.
Police investigations led to the arrest of Nkambule and Senzo Sithole.

Nkambule denied committing the offence. He alleged that when Khumalo was killed, he was in the Republic of South Africa.
The duo was subsequently slapped with five charges which include, murder, three attempted murders and possession of arms and ammunition. They have been languishing in custody since November 29, 2019.

His bail application will be argued next Wednesday before Judge Nkosi.

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