The bail application for Ballito mother Fungai Nyamadzawo (42) was postponed again this morning to June 17 in light of her defence claiming she suffered from a mental illness.

State prosecutor, Sanesh Rambaran, told magistrate Blanche van Eeden that the defence had submitted a sworn statement claiming the accused suffered from a condition that compromised her mental health.

Rambaran asked for time to subpoena the reports from the doctors who had treated her.

Also read: Final hours of murdered 6-year-old Ballito girl begin to emerge

The reports could reveal the need for Nyamadzawo to be sent for mental observation and may establish her fitness to stand trial and her mental capacity at the time of the murder.

My heart is absolutely broken.

Rest In Peace Alexia Nyamadzawo, we will not forget you.

The women and children in this country deserve better.https://t.co/LsIRkuQ7eK

— Leslie Knope stan account (@karugism) June 2, 2020

Nyamadzawo, who stands accused of murdering her six-year-old daughter Alexia last week, was making her second appearance at the Umhlali magistrates court this morning.

Rambaran told the court he will be contacting the office of the provincial Director of Public Prosecutions to expedite the matter.

The 42-year-old mother is facing charges of premeditated murder.

The state is still opposing bail and Nyamadzawo will remain in the cells at KwaDukuza police station until her next appearance.

Alexia’s father, Charlton Nyamadzawo was also present at the hearing.

Alexia’s body was found last week after a two-day search by police, lying in the open in a sugar cane field near Riet Vlei, behind Shakaskraal.

Her mother had claimed that she had been kidnapped from the back seat of her car, when she slowed down for a speed bump.

https://twitter.com/blaqlele/status/1267882435829805056

Her family are making arrangements to have her body repatriated to Zimbabwe for burial. They moved to South Africa 10 years ago.

The memorial service for Alexia – a grade 1 pupil at Umhlali Preparatory school at the time of her death – was held yesterday.

Her obituary states that she would have turned seven next month.

It reads: “She was shy by nature and always wanted to please her dad, mom and [14-year-old sister].

“She had a love for swimming and showed promise for gymnastics.

“Filled with life, she sought opportunities to give assistance and [do] the best for others.

“In true fashion in December, she gave her father R100 and some clothes that no longer fitted her. Daddy gave it to those who don’t have anything in Zimbabwe.

The obituary ends, “We all make mistakes. But we should learn to forgive.”

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