Bergville family mass murder: Accused seeks medical attention

A 33-year-old man from Bethany, Bergville, KZN, stands accused of stabbing and killing five family members and injuring two others in a brutal attack on Saturday night. He was arrested by police the following day.

Mlamuli Khoza appeared in the Bergville Magistrate’s Court yesterday for a bail application, following his initial appearance on Tuesday.

During the proceedings, Khoza’s lawyer informed the court that his client was in pain and wished to see a doctor. The magistrate postponed the case to Wednesday to allow Khoza to seek medical attention. He was remanded in custody.

Family members of the deceased expressed their dissatisfaction with the court’s decision, accusing Khoza of fabricating his illness. Xolani Mhlanga, a relative, told the Estcourt News that the accused had been beaten and that his pain resulted from the beating, not an illness.

“What I know about him is that he is not mentally disturbed. He could feel some pain because he was beaten, but the case should have proceeded. We are not happy that the court allowed him to lie and we don’t want the court to grant him bail. We are also dismayed by his mother’s behaviour, showing that she takes his side. Every time this boy did wrong, his mother would take his side,” explained Mhlanga.

Mhlanga also voiced concerns over Khoza’s past behaviour, alleging that this was not his first offence, claiming it might be his sixth case, including protection orders.

Khoza faces five counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.