A 30-year-old man accused of assaulting his mother at their Ramaphosa home recently has decided to defend himself at his next court appearance.
Wearing a red jersey and blue jeans, Emmanuel Mamogobo again appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on October 27, where he is set to stand trial on charges of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and assault on police officers.
According to the police, in 2012, the suspect was convicted of common assault after an attack on his mother and spent six months in jail.
In 2013, he was found guilty of malicious damage to property after he damaged his mother’s furniture and cellphone.
In January, his mother opened a case of assault GBH against her son at the Reiger Park SAPS after he allegedly stabbed her in the forehead following a disagreement.
According to the mother, the assault happened after she told her son he can’t cook pap because she had already started cooking rice.
Police said the suspect is alleged to first have argued with his mother, swearing at her and saying that at the end of the month she wouldn’t get her rent money from tenants because he was going to take it. He then allegedly took out a knife and stabbed his mother in the forehead.
She was transported to hospital for treatment of her injuries.
In February, when police officers went to arrest him, Mamogobo allegedly resisted arrest and attacked two police officers. As a result of this, he was charged with assault on police officers.
Mamogobo, who pleaded not guilty on February 24, has made several court appearances related to the matter and in the process also abandoned his bail application.
During the recent court proceedings, a letter from a hospital was presented to magistrate Cecil Kruger, which stated the complainant (the mother) couldn’t be in court because she had been admitted to hospital.
The magistrate then confirmed with Mamogobo’s defence lawyer whether he was representing the accused.
The defence lawyer agreed but Mamogobo objected and said that as far as he knew he had no lawyer as he had no consultations with any lawyer.
The lawyer said Mamogobo knew he will be represented because he met with him shortly before the court proceedings.
The magistrate then went through the court records and revealed there were various attorneys on record that had represented Mamogobo during his previous court appearances.
“This case is now a concern because it’s not moving, every time there is a postponement caused by a certain issue. This is the third date set for trial, it’s like we are fighting a losing battle,” Kruger said, adding that Mamogobo has a right to a fair and speedy trial.
Mamogobo was asked for the last time by the magistrate what he wanted to do and he responded that he would conduct his own defence.
Mamogobo asked for the charge sheet to prepare for the court case and also requested to reapply for bail. He was told to verify his address first.
The matter has been postponed to November 5.
Mamogobo’s aunts and brother, who attended the court proceedings, said they wanted justice to take its course for their sister, whom he has allegedly been abusing.
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