Durban — The matter of slain Mangosuthu University of Technology final-year electrical engineering student Xolile Mbatha, who was stabbed to death allegedly by a boyfriend at the institution’s outsourced residences, was postponed yet again.
Bongani Sanele Mlambo, 28, who is facing murder charges, appeared briefly in the Durban High Court on Wednesday.
Judge Sharmaine Balton ordered that the matter be adjourned to Thursday because Mlambo’s defence attorney, SB Madondo, was unavailable due to being sick.
It is alleged Mlambo stabbed Mbatha, his girlfriend, in July while they were in a bathroom in Ark Royal residence on Mahatma Gandhi Road in Durban.
Recalling the day, Mbatha’s roommate, Phakade Ndwandwe, previously told the Daily News the couple were arguing in the bathroom.
Ndwandwe, who stayed with Mbatha for four months, said she went to find out what was happening but couldn’t figure it out and later Mlambo asked for Mbatha’s phone. He found it on the bed and smashed it on the floor.
She said after a while the arguing died down; however, she became worried and texted for help.
She said while waiting for help she went to the bathroom and found Mbatha’s body on the floor with multiple stab wounds.
Ndwandwe said she ran out of the unit.
In September, Mlambo handed himself over to the police and pleaded guilty to the murder in October.
During his previous court appearances, he told the court in his plea read out by his defence attorney that Mbatha stabbed him first and that triggered him.
Daily News
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