Johannesburg - Former ANC Youth League leader Patrick Wisani is set to plead not guilty to a murder charge for allegedly sjambokking his girlfriend to death.
This emerged in the high court sitting in Randburg on Monday when Wisani’s trial was meant to start.
Judge André Louw asked whether the defence knew what the plea would be.
Lawyer Mpho Selepe responded: “One of not guilty.”
Proceedings started late because Wisani, who is being kept in custody, had to be fetched from Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court, where there was a lack of available courtrooms, and brought to Randburg.
A number of people from Sonke Gender Justice were stranded in Palm Ridge after they arrived there to protest against gender-based violence.
Wisani allegedly sjambokked his girlfriend, Nosipho Mandleleni to death in September last year.
The case was postponed until Thursday to give him time to find an advocate.
The judge indicated he didn’t expect the trial to take long.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to finish the case this week,” he said.
@Gabi_Falanga
The Star