The murder trial of Dr Nicholas Procter took a dramatic turn in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Wednesday.

Lowvelder reports that the three accused – Bheki Ndlovu (38), Nkateko Tshidzumba (24) and Siyabonga Kekana (20) – were remanded in custody pending their next court appearances on November 7 and 14.

They face charges of kidnapping, attempted theft, theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances and murder.

Procter (40), a doctor at Mediclinic Nelspruit, was reported missing after failing to report for work on February 1, 2024.

Later that day, his vehicle was found, followed by the discovery of his body in a vacation unit in the Mopani block of Green Valley Estate. His hands and feet were bound.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Sergeant Sthembile Phillip Zitha, one of the first officers on the scene, testified about his experience from his early days as a student constable to his current role as a detective in the SAPS Serious and Violent Crime Unit.

When asked by the magistrate if he knew the date of the incident, Zitha said he did not and asked permission to refer to the docket. As he began paging through it, the magistrate instructed him to stop and repeated the question.

“Yes, Your Worship, I know the date,” Zitha replied.

“Have you suddenly remembered it? Two minutes ago, you said you didn’t,” the magistrate responded.

Visibly irritated, Zitha asked for a short adjournment.

“I’m requesting a two-minute break, Your Worship,” he said.

When the magistrate asked why, he replied: “I just want to drink some water.”

The proceedings were adjourned briefly and resumed about five minutes later.

By then, the state, defence and magistrate had agreed to postpone the matter to today, as it was already 15:45 and the accused had to be returned to Barberton Correctional Services by 16:30.

Zitha then informed the court that he would be unable to attend on Friday due to a consultation at the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court.

“What must I do now? The victim’s family and the press are already complaining about delays,” the magistrate said.

It was finally agreed that the case would resume on November 7 and 14.

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