The 29-year-old Onke Hartin Mashinini, the accused in the case of the missing Liyaqat ‘Lee’ Mentoor, appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court again on 10 October.
He has been charged with child neglect, kidnapping, defeating the ends of justice and premeditated murder. He was the last person to see Lee on 16 March, the day of his disappearance.
When Mashinini appeared in the dock, his ankles were shackled, which appeared to annoy him. During his appearance, it came to light that he was also standing trial on a case of aggravated robbery.
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The State Prosecutor, Mr Mufamadi, then requested a postponement, stating that the State will be requesting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to combine the two cases, as well as to refer the case to the High Court.
Mashini’s legal representative, Advocate Twala, had a short consultation with his client, and then informed the court that Mashinini was requesting an interpreter (for the first time during the seven-month-long proceedings), as he did not understand what was happening.
After the interpreter relayed the message, Twala concurred with the suggestion of the postponement.
The case was postponed to 24 October, with Mashinini remaining in custody.
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