THE two murder charges against King Simphiwe Erick Zuma have taken another step forward as they are being heard at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, they appeared in court for the first time yesterday.
The charges against Nkosi are the murder of the former prime minister of the Nxamalala tribe, Mr. Qalokunye Zuma, and the murder of the opponent of the sale of land, Mr. Xolani Ntombela/Ndlovu.
Yesterday it was planned to prepare for the start of the trial. The case was adjourned to August 13, when a trial date will be set.
The case of the assassination of Zuma (Qalokune) started at the Magistrate’s Court in Mpendle, and was transferred to the District Court as it has become a big one.
The murder of Ntombela/Ndlovu started at the Magistrate’s Court in Howick, and was transferred to the district court as it has become a big deal. These cases have been consolidated.
The king is sued with Mr. Thembelani Mbatha.
Thabo Mathonsi Chonco, who is serving a number of sentences, pleaded guilty to murdering Zuma (Qalokune) and murdering Ntombela/Ndlovu.
Chonco was sentenced to 20 years on each count.
The King recently faced a challenge this week, as the District Court in Pietermaritzburg rejected his request for bail in the Ntombela/Ndlovu murder case. Magistrate Morne Cannon decided that Inkosi should continue in prison.
Cannon said there is a high possibility that Inkosi will violate the bail conditions if he is granted bail, and he said that Inkosi had previously communicated with witnesses and the person arrested with him using the phone that was taken with him in prison.
The king is also facing a charge of killing a former DA councilor in the Mngeni Municipality, Mr. Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, which is being tried at the District Court in Mgungundlovu.
The two suspects, Chonco, and Mr. Khayelihle Shabalala, confessed to the crime of killing Ndlovu.
Chonco and Shabalala will be sentenced on August 4. King and Mr. Thobani Masobho Hlongwa deny the charge.