THE Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday (March 27) moved the case against Sikhumbuzo Zungu, who was arrested for allegedly fatally stabbing the mother of his child, Babongile Nkonyeni, to the regional court.

Zungu is expected to appear at the latter court on April 21 for allegedly murdering Nkonyeni on Sunday, October 26, at about 03:00 at a residence in Pinetown. Zungu was arrested two days later.

Nkonyeni’s family has expressed relief that the commencement of the trial is on the horizon.

Her sister, Phumla Shezi said the family hopes for a conviction so that Zungu can be placed behind bars.

“We are tired of continuously seeing him,” said Shezi.

Zungu, who was refused bail late last year, faces an additional charge of theft because at the time of his arrest, he was allegedly found in possession of two cellphones belonging to Nkonyeni.

During the now completed investigations, conducted by Detective Sergeant Noelin Chetty from the Pinetown SAPS, the two cellphones were recovered from Zungu’s homestead in uMlazi.

Also read: Locals concerned by increase in student residences

The court heard during bail application hearings that after the alleged murder, Zungu had left the crime scene for his homestead.

The court refused Zungu’s bail because the presiding officer had said at the time that it was not certain that he would attend court if his application was granted, considering that after Nkonyeni’s murder he had thought of committing suicide.

Meanwhile, during the bail application, Shezi, whom the presiding officer later described as a credible witness, had testified that Zungu had not consistently financially supported the eight-year-old child he has with the deceased, who was said to have shouldered many of their living costs.

The court also heard from Shezi that Zungu and his daughter did not have a cordial relationship.

Nkonyeni’s mother, Sibongile Shezi, has previously said that she learnt that the relationship between her daughter and Zungu was strained, but would not speculate on whether that was the cause of the murder.

Zungu being denied bail was welcome relief for Nkonyeni’s family who said at the time of the ruling that “this is what we wanted”.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter here