Nhlanhla Mabaso
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) student, Khayelihle Nzimande, 25 years, made his first appearance at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection to his roommate’s murder.
Nzimande was charged with the murder of 3rd year BCom student at the institution. Simukelo Zondi, 24 years, was believed to have gone missing on Thursday last week. It is alleged that Nzimande killed him and burnt his body near a campus rugby field on the Westville Campus.
As he made his way inside court, he seemed to be very jumbled walking on barefoot wearing a black short and a white t-shirt.
He kept looking behind him trying to spot any members of his family and he went on to question the magistrate about why his family was not informed about his court appearance. “Why was my family not contacted? Is this a fair game?” He asked Magistrate Robinson.
In that moment an adult from the Nzimande family arrived and shortly after the court took a break, the student was given a chance to have a word with the family and he told the court that he will be represented by a legal aid lawyer and as time goes he will get a private one.
He remains in custody as the state needs to verify his home address and also send him for medical examinations. UKZN students are expected to hold a memorial service for their late mate Simukelo at the Westville Campus on Monday.
The case is postponed to Monday the 21.