The Ginger Road, Pietermaritzburg, murder case has been transferred to the Pietermaritzburg High Court for trial in May.

The Witness reports that Ntuthuko Sakhile Zuma, one of two accused in the murder of 72-year-old Rajendra Chetty, was expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday. However, his case has now been moved to the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

His co-accused, Phakamani Ngcobo, is already serving a 25-year sentence after pleading guilty to murdering the pensioner during a home invasion in Ginger Road, Northdale, in 2023.

He admitted to stabbing Chetty five times.

Last year, Zuma appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of housebreaking with intent to commit robbery, murder and robbery.

He also applied for bail, but his application was denied.

Zuma has indicated that he intends to plead not guilty.

During Ngcobo’s plea hearing last year, his lawyer said Ngcobo was willing to turn state witness and testify against Zuma.

According to court papers, investigating officer Sergeant Sithembiso Mdladla stated in an affidavit that Chetty’s stolen cellphone was later recovered after being sold for R350.

Mdladla said that on the day of the incident, both men – Ngcobo and Zuma – went to Chetty’s home, where he lived alone.

“They jumped into the yard and forced the burglar gate and front door open. When they got inside, the deceased tried to fight back; however, he was stabbed and assaulted.

“He was robbed of his Samsung A3 cellphone. The accused then fled the scene, leaving the man to die,” he said.

Mdladla added that neighbours saw two people jumping over the fence from Chetty’s property and immediately alerted his relatives, who lived across the road.

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