Durban — The trial of the alleged instigator in the Brookside Mall fire during civil unrest in July 2021 was expected to begin today but it had to be postponed.
National Prosecuting Authority KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the trial was postponed because the defence requested more time.
The trial of Ndumiseni Khetha Zuma, 35, was set to begin in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court today. It was set down for August 4 and 5 in Regional Court 2.
“While the State was ready to proceed, to the effect that witnesses were warned to be in court, the matter was postponed at the behest of the defence.
“The defence made an application for an adjournment, stating that they required more time to consult with Zuma and finalise their instructions,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
Ramkisson-Kara said the matter was adjourned to September 1 for trial.
Zuma faces charges of incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit arson, in relation to the burning of the Brookside Mall in July 2021, during the looting and civil unrest that took place in parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
He is in custody, following an unsuccessful bail application on appeal.
Daily News