Cape Town - The young man who allegedly stabbed his pregnant girlfriend in the abdomen, killing her, has been charged with assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm for the assault on his unborn baby.
In addition, Avukile Njanya has been charged with murder after he allegedly stabbed Ncebakazi Bili, 20, five times in the abdomen and chest at the weekend.
Bili, from Samora Machel, Philippi, was eight months pregnant and had just completed her matric exams when she was killed.
Njanya made his first appearance in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in connection with Saturday’s incident.
Njanya, 21, was arrested on Sunday after eyewitnesses saw him stab Bili.
On Monday, after speaking to residents, the Cape Argus reported that Njanya was believed to have stabbed Bili in an apparent jealous rage.
As Njanya entered the dock on Tuesday, the public gallery gasped when they saw his swollen face, blue eyes and fresh stitches covering open wounds on his left cheek and forehead. Njanya was wearing a blood-stained purple jersey.
State prosecutor Mulatedzi Netshimbupfe told the court that Njanya was charged with his girlfriend’s murder and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm because the foetus was unborn.
Njanya had allegedly stabbed Bili because she was sitting with her ex-boyfriend, Netshimbupfe said.
“That’s what caused the accused to stab her,” he added.
After the stabbing, community members attacked Njanya. His family later took him to hospital, but Bili died before she could be admitted.
Magistrate Keith le Keur explained Njanya’s rights to him, and, after a short pause, Njanya said he wanted to speak to his family before he made a decision on whether to appoint a private lawyer or a Legal Aid lawyer.
Netshimbupfe asked that the case be postponed for one week so that Njanya’s criminal profile could be established.
Only then could the prosecution say whether it was opposing bail. Njanya is due in court on Tuesday.
Cape Argus