The trial over the 2023 killing of community activist Loyiso Nkohla-Mabandla is due back at the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Monday 2 November, after it was postponed on 26 October.
The matter was postponed because a legal representative for one of the three accused did not attend court, according to a published report. The accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The report did not name them or state the charges.
Why it was postponed
Three accused appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on 26 October, and the matter was postponed to 2 November.
Nkohla-Mabandla, a former Cape Town councillor and co-founder of the Ses'khona People's Rights Movement, was shot dead during a community meeting in Philippi in April 2023.
Reaction from the family and parties
His widow, Nyameka Mabandla, said: "I feel very relieved that we've gotten to this point." She described a long period of postponements.
GOOD spokesperson Mandilakhe Tshwete said the party was happy the trial had started "even though it was a quick postponement", and hopes the matter will be finalised within three months. South African Communist Party Western Cape provincial secretary Benson Ngqentsu said the party is confident the trial will be expedited.
Masizole Mnqasela called for tougher punishment, including reinstating the death penalty. That is his view, not a development in the case.
What we do not yet know
The names of the three accused and the charges they face were not given in the report we relied on. We do not know whether evidence will be led on 2 November.
