The 29-year-old Onke Hartin Mashinini appeared in the Johannesburg High Court again on 21 May, but the case was postponed once again.
Mashinini is the only suspect in the case of the missing three-year-old Liyaqat ‘Lee’ Mentoor, who was in his care when he went missing on 16 March last year. The charges against him include kidnapping, child neglect, defeating the ends of justice, pre-meditated murder, as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances (unrelated to this case).
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2019/05/13/dna-results-not-yet-receivedjusticeforlee-case-postponed-once-again-web/
During his appearance on 6 May, the Defence requested a postponement in order for them to have the DNA tested by an independent company, as they were questioning the original results. According to them, these results would have been received by 21 May.
But, on the day, it was heard that the DNA that was to be tested, was only handed over to the independent company on that day.
Estelle Delport, the family representative, said, “The case has been postponed to 25 June for pre-trial. And, even though the judge does have quite a few questions himself, he has reserved 29 July as a possible trial date.”
Sh added that their frustrations were mounting, “We do not have a lot of information pertaining to the case and we are still without a lot of answers ourselves. But, if we do go to trial, it shows that the case is going somewhere.”
Mashinini will remain in custody until then.
