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Closing arguments heard in Vicki Momberg case
Closing arguments for sentencing were heard in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court in the case against convicted Vicki Momberg. The state called for direct imprisonment while the defence argued that Momberg needs help and not punishment.
In its arguments for sentencing, the state said Momberg’s matter was the worst form of crimen injuria that has been dealt with in the entire country.
“The accused used the k-word 48 times to various complainants and witnesses,” said prosecutor, Yusuf Baba who added that what Momberg did was a direct violation of the constitutional rights of the victims as entrenched in the Constitution.
The defence argued that there was no premeditation in the commission of the offence that Momberg committed. The defence said a suspended sentence will be a suitable sentence, adding that Momberg must undergo psychiatric treatment for a period of a year.
Court hears that DNA samples were lost
The Randburg Magistrates’ Court heard that DNA samples that were sent for forensics were lost.
The buccal samples were taken from the six men accused of being part of a syndicate conducting armed robberies at malls in Gauteng.
The state asked for a further postponement in order to take news samples from accused persons. The investigating officer said the samples were going to form part of crucial evidence that the state needs to use in order to prove its case.
Magistrate Godwin Sadiki seemed to be stuck between a rock and a hard place with the latest request by the state as at the last appearance, defence attorneys put a notice to have the case struck off the court roll due to delays on the state’s side.
The serious charges faced by the accused was one of the considerations that the court had to look at.
Sadiki granted the state the postponement but gave the state strict orders.
He said he needs proof that new samples were taken and needs confirmation that they were received at the lab for testing.
Sadiki said this was the final postponement given to the state, failing which, the case may be struck off the court roll or it will have to proceed with some of the outstanding evidence.
Court clerk in the dock for theft
A 62-year-old clerk of the court appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.
The clerk is accused of theft after he allegedly stole R20 000 from the court. The clerk is currently out on R3 000 bail and the case has been remanded to 29 May for further investigations.
Bail application of father accused of rape continues
The case against a father accused of raping his eight-year-old son continues at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.
The accused is also understood to be a former teacher.
The case was previously postponed for address verification purposes but the court has now requested that a social worker be called to testify. The father was arrested on 14 March and has been in custody since his arrest.
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