FOR administrative reasons, the KaBokweni Magistrates Court was forced to postpone the trial of the alleged 'killers' of Bontle Mashiyane.
Collen Hlongwane (37), Ntombikayise Ngwenya (41), Thapelo Ngomane (26) and Philasande Tsela (29) appeared before the same court on Friday, 06 October.
They were to be served with the indictment and the date of trial. However, the court pointed out that there are still some administrative issues that need to be resolved before the court serves the accused with the indictment.
The four accused are charged with rape, murder and kidnapping. The charges stem from an incident that occurred last year in Mganduzweni outside White River, Mpumalanga. It is alleged that the suspects conspired to abduct Mashiyane, who was last seen playing with her friends outside her house.
The mutilated body of the little girl was found not far from her house weeks after she was reported missing.
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It is alleged that Bontle was killed for muthi purposes. In August this year, the court provisionally withdrew charges against Samuel Mangebeletane Tsela, an inyanga believed to be the mastermind behind the murder of the 6-year-old girl.
In August, the accused were served with an indictment which also listed the accused who was provisionally withdrawn from the case.
State prosecutor, Mbuso Maila said: "We have encountered some administrative problems. We are informed that the indictment has been finalised and we are asking the court to postpone the service of the indictment and the date of trial."
Bontle's father, Itumeleng Mashiyane said the family would await the further course of the court proceedings.
"What we want is justice. The matter is getting closer until it is concluded. We will wait for all court proceedings. We cannot blame the state or other parties because we only want justice for our daughter," he said.
The matter was postponed to Tuesday, 17 October for the serving of the indictment and trial date.
