‘Gentle woman’ will be missed

Regional magistrate Nonesi Dlamini (62) affectionately known as Ma’Dlamini by Port Shepstone attorneys, court personnel, police officers and even prisoners, died on her way to hospital last Saturday, October 3.

She was a diabetic with a history of heart ailment and had in the past two years been frequently ill.

Nonesi originally hailed from Mzimkhulu and did her regional court test in Queenstown, after which she was appointed to a post on the regional court bench in Port Shepstone in 1999.

She served here until her death.

Regional court magistrates are tasked with trying serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery, rape and corruption.

Her court was equipped with the means to receive the evidence of child witnesses by means of closed circuit television and through intermediaries and as a result most child rape matters have been prosecuted in her court in the past 20 years.

“Known to be a model of compassion and patience, this gentle and softly spoken colleague of mine was ideally suited to the difficult task of hearing child rape matters.

“For 21 years she made a significant difference in the lives of many victims of sexual and domestic violence. Although not a celebrity or a well-known political figure, her departure represents a true and sad loss to both the regional court judiciary and society at large. She will be greatly missed,’ her long-time, former colleague in the Regional Courts, Johann Bester, said in paying tribute to her.

Nonesi is survived by her husband and two grown children, Sanele and Zenande. 

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