VEREENIGING – The case of Nomvula Chenene’s murder accused was postponed to June 8.
This is after Sizwe Buthelezi appeared for the second time at the Vereeniging Magistrate’s court on Wednesday, May 3.
With the court gallery packed to the door, and having some supporters banned to access the courtroom, dozens gathered for less than 10 minutes as the presiding Magistrate Chris Kruger postponed the case.
A heavy security contingent was appointed following the drama that played out on Buthelezi’s first appearance, where the suspect was pelted with a cellphone after getting a state lawyer.
Buthelezi who still worn his brown jacket, this time with his head shaved, hanged in shame as the Magistrate gave details on his case.
Addressing the court, Kruger said the case was postponed due to ongoing investigations.
“You will be back on the 8 of June, pending further investigations on your case. You remain behind bars for the duration of the investigation,” he said.
Buthelezi appeared is charged with the murder of Nomvula Chenene, sister to former Orlando Pirates player, following his arrest last month.
This came after his lover told the police about him murdering a woman and burying him in a shack, under their children’s bed.
Following the tip-off, police went to the suspect’s home where they found a skull buried underneath the bed.
After further digging, they discovered more skeletal remains belonging to Chenene.
Several Gender Based Violence advocating groups continued to gather outside the court yard, singing and chanting.
In the previous court appearance, family spokesperson Ntswaki Chenene Ndulula said the family is left devastated.
“We are broken because we tried to find her all this time, praying day and night, little did we know she is not far from home. We want justice for Nomvula for this gruesome killing. We know the justice system fails families of victims of gender-based violence, we hope they will make sure justice is served for the Chenene family,” she said.
Since the discovery of Chenene’s skeletal remains, the family has still not buried her body as police investigations are still underway.
Police spokesman Captain Fikile Funda said investigations are still underway and the body will be released to the family soon as police close the matter.
