Springs Magistrate’s Court has postponed the case against David Ngwenya (44) who stands accused of the murder of Eskom employee, Thembisile Lucia Yende (30) for further investigation until September 18.
This comes after the state requested the case be postponed to July 17 for further investigations last month during the accused’s bail hearing application.
Springs Magistrate, Cornel Pretorious, denied the Eskom technician bail after a week-long bail application hearing saying he didn’t prove to the court that there were exceptional circumstances to warrant his release on bail.
David was arrested and charged with premeditated murder on 15 May, in Carletonville, after an identity parade by the state witness.
It is alleged David murdered Thembisile after he suspected she was going to inform their management about a copper theft syndicate.
During his bail application hearing, the court heard how the Eskom technician – together with two other suspects, whom the police are still searching for – consulted a sangoma to appear invisible to the police.
David has terminated the services of his previous legal representatives and appointed a new counsel.
Thembisile’s decomposing body was found 13 days after she was reported missing to the police, in the Eskom storeroom at the Pieterboth Eskom sub-station in Springs, where she worked.
Her colleagues noticed a bad smell coming from the room and alerted the police.
Speaking to the group of media outside the Springs Magistrate’s Court, the deceased’s older brother, Jabu Yende, says the family is happy that the case has been postponed for further investigation.
“This will give the state the opportunity to gather enough facts to present to the court.
“We want the people responsible for her death to face the full might of the law.
“Her death has brought trauma to the family and the community. We will not heal until the case has been put to bed,” he says.
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