INLSA

Luyanda Londzi has been out on bail while the other eight suspects have been behind bars for more than three years. Picture: Mxolisi Madela

One of the men found guilty of murdering Zoliswa Nkonyana told the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court yesterday he wants to get out of jail so that he can become a police officer.

Luyanda Londzi told magistrate Radia Wethan he wanted to “go to school and further my studies”.

“Maybe one day I can be a policeman.

“I also want to go to initiation school. I want to assist my parents,” he said.

The court found Londzi, Lubabalo Ntlabati, Sicelo Mase and Mbulelo Damba guilty in October of Nkonyana’s murder in 2006.

Their lawyers launched mitigation of sentencing arguments this week. But State attorney Anthea Allchin is fighting for tough sentences.

The men have all requested non-custodial sentences, which means that if successful they would not serve any jail time.

All four men have claimed innocence.

Londzi told the court he was “not involved” in the murder. “I was very hurt when the court convicted me. I can’t take responsibility for something I did not do … I can’t apologise ... “I do sympathise with the family, but that doesn’t say I killed the deceased,” Londzi said.

“I will ask the court to have mercy on me. I am not guilty.”

Allchin replied: “I’m going to ask the court not to show any mercy to you because no mercy was shown to Zoliswa.”

Londzi is also on trial in the same court for another murder.

Advocate Bongani Maxiti called Londzi’s father, Fumanekile Londzi to clarify how Nkonyana’s blood ended up on his son’s takkies.

Fumanekile Londzi, a church official, said that “maybe the blood got on him by mistake because he went to see” what happened.

Maxiti also called on Damba to tell the court what type of sentence he deserved.

“I really don’t know what to say about being convicted because I don’t even know why I was arrested. I didn’t do anything,” said Damba.

“I want to be released. I want to go back to school and help my mother. I want to give my younger brother support… I sympathise with the family because I am human. I think they should accept what happened to them.”

Allchin replied: “It’s hard for them to accept it when you and your co-accused don’t accept responsibility.”

She also told Londzi that he had killed Zoliswa because he had hated her.

“She was a lesbian. That’s the reason why she was attacked.

“And that’s why you didn’t like her,” she said.

Maxiti argued, though, that there “is nothing to suggest that she was killed because she was lesbian. People are exaggerating things.

“The community is angry and suggesting that the accused should get life sentences. It must be considered that the same community baying for the blood of the accused will come to court tomorrow begging for the court not to be harsh on their families.

“There should be an element of mercy,” he said.

The trial continues today. - Cape Times