Murder accused Ballito mother likely to be sent for mental observation

The Ballito mother accused of murdering her six-year-old child, Fungai Nyamadzawo, is awaiting a decision on whether she will be referred for psychiatric evaluation at Fort Napier, a public mental hospital in Pietermaritzburg.

Nyamadzawo appeared briefly at the Umhlali Magistrates court today (Wednesday) charged with the premeditated murder of her six-year-old daughter, Alexia, a grade 1 pupil at Umhlali Preparatory School.

State prosecutor Sanesh Rambaran submitted three medical records to magistrate Blanche van Heerden – two compiled by general practitioners and the third by a specialist psychiatrist obtained by subpoena from the state.

Nyamadzawo’s mental state was brought into question by her attorney, Rakesh Maharaj, at her second appearance last Wednesday, June 8. The provincial director of public prosecutions (DPP) will assess whether she go for mental tests to determine her fitness to stand trial.

Magistrate Blanche van Heerden asked Maharaj if he was aware that his client’s records showed “nothing wrong with her, no agitation or anything”, and pointed out that one report was dated March 20 of this year, before the incident.

Maharaj explained that the reports had been compiled before Nyamadazwa’s arrest and new assessments would need to be made.

The matter was adjourned for June 23 for the DPP officer to make a decision regarding Nyamadzawo’s assessment.

Dressed in a long sleeved brown top, black leggings and a head scarf, Nyamadzawo appeared calm and lucid in the dock. Her husband was also present at the hearing.

Defence attorney Maharaj told the Courier afterwards that Nyamadzawo was having a ‘tough time’ with the conditions at KwaDukuza police station holding cells and that she was ‘very emotional’.

“She is being kept under close observation while in police custody,” he said.