Court closed for Mandela memorial service

Sivion Mkhize was disappointed that he didn’t get his day in court but is understanding of the circumstances.

Mr Mkhize, who is suing the Department of Justice for R16-million after two clerical errors resulted in his wrongful incarceration, arrived at the Pietemaritzburg High Court on Tuesday afternoon to put forward his argument before Judge P Bezuidenhout.

When he arrived with his attorney, Kamlesh Gurlal, however, he was informed that just two hours prior to his scheduled court appearance, the high court had been closed.

All the judges were given time off to allow them the opportunity to attend a special memorial service for Nelson Mandela.

“Arguments were supposed to have been put forward today and we were hoping for a possible judgement,” said Mr Gurlal. “Although it is a major inconvenience, we do accept that the judge had to attend the memorial service.”

“Mandela was a great man who did a lot for us,” added Mr Mkhize.”Being wrongfully imprisoned is terrible, painful and dangerous. When the police told me that I was under arrest in 2001, I actually laughed because I didn’t believe them. Inside prison, I never knew when a fight would break out that would lead to my death.”

It is possible that Mr Mkhize’s case will now only be heard next year.