Mazibuko will next appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on 27 February next year. He was arrested earlier this year in connection with a house robbery with aggravating circumstances in Northcliff Ext 19 dating back to 2007. His prosecution was delayed to make him available for appearances in the High Court in connection with separate armed robbery charges. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On Wednesday 26 November the court heard closing arguments. A police witness that is a fingerprint expert said the accused was arrested on previous charges in Florida and fingerprints were taken. Fingerprints from the scene were compared to fingerprints taken upon his arrest; it was the opinion of the expert these fingerprints can positively link him to the 2007 house robbery and lead to his conviction.
The accused was called to the stand where he answered to questions about his personal life and education. Mazibuko has two children both aged seven with different mothers, he said. He finished high school and attended a technical college, but couldn’t complete his qualification due to financial constraints. Being probed, Mazibuko again rejected allegations against him.
“I did not commit the offence, your worship,” the court heard.
“I am not a troublemaker.”
Magistrate Delise Smit gave her verdict.
“The court finds that persons gained access to the house illegally, were arrmed, tied up two domestic workers, assaulted Michael Smith (the complainant), and stole money and items from the house,” Smit said.
The court accepted complainant Michael Smith and one of his domestic workers’ evidence. On 23 July 2007 Smith investigated a noise coming from the kitchen of his house in Northcliff Ext 19 and was met with a firearm pointed at his chest. Suspects pushed him into a room and the weapon holder hit him several times while two others held him down.
They said he will be killed if he does not point out the safe in his house. After getting the combination, they took R25 000 in cash from his safe. The money was the takings of his wife’s hair salon that were to be banked the following Monday. The suspects put a towel over his head and continued to ransack the bedroom. Because Smith’s vehicle had a tracking device installed, they decided not to take it and fled. Smith phoned his security company and the police and was taken to a doctor that could not stitch but had to use glue to close several wounds to his head. In his evidence Smith said that he suffered of severe headaches for several months after the incident. The whole ordeal lasted about 50 minutes.
Magistrate Delise Smit further probed Mazibuko about the fact that he never denied the fingerprints were his and failed to provide an alibi for his whereabouts on the day of the robbery. Mazibuko responded by saying that his memories of 2007 are hazy as he went through a very emotional period and had personal problems at the time.
Smit questioned his ability to stand trial. She postponed sentencing and sent Mazibuko to Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital for a psychological evaluation.
Related articles:
• Four in court for tenant’s murder
• JMPD killer’s court case finalised
• Counterfeit suspect appears in court
