Family frustrated by delays in murder trial

THE FAMILY of slain 19-year-old Kimberley Boys’ High pupil Amogelang Assegaai, who was gunned down outside his home in Verwoerdpark on October 1, 2022, have expressed disappointment over delays in the murder trial, which has been transferred to the Northern Cape High Court.

The accused, Mbubanzi Zwakala, who is a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) warrant officer attached to the military base at Diskobolos in Kimberley, and his co-accused, David Khangumbe, made a court appearance this week.

Zwakala is out on bail of R10,000 while Khangumbe is still in custody.

The case was postponed as the defence team is only available to present arguments during the first week of December.

A spokesperson for the bereaved family, Bhuti Thabo Ramabina, said they were hoping for a speedy trial so that they could obtain some closure.

“It breaks our hearts because we are no closer to getting any answers, two years after Amogelang’s death. Our suffering is being prolonged as we still do not know what happened. However, we have faith that justice will be served,” said Ramabina.

He added that they were disappointed that the matter had been postponed for four months.

“The case was postponed from last week to this week and now again until December. However, we accept that the lawyers were able to convince the judge that they were swamped and were only available in December. We hope that there will not be further delays.”

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Northern Cape spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said that both accused were standing trial for the murder.

“Khangumbe was added as an accused in the district court, prior to the matter being transferred to the Northern Cape High Court for trial on July 22. The matter was scheduled to proceed for two weeks.”

Senokoatsane added that Khangumbe’s bail application was denied in the district court.

He pointed out that the State had no option but to agree to the postponement.

“It is the accused’s constitutional right to appoint his own legal representative. He only applied for legal aid on July 22. Thorough discussions and investigations were made into all the parties' diaries, where the only suitable and available date for all the parties was December 2 to 6,” Senokoatsane explained.