THE magistrate was ready to proceed with a formal bail application in the packed Engcobo Magistrates Court on Thursday, 17 November.
And everyone eagerly anticipated the appearance of Nomboleko Simayile.
However, drama unfolded as the state prosecutor had to tell Magistrate Mohammed Ahmed that the 32-year-old mother from Engcobo, Eastern Cape, had collapsed in the holding cells and had to be rushed to hospital.
Ahmed was left with no choice but to postpone the matter to 29 November.
“The accused is remanded in custody in absentia until then,” said Ahmed.
Nomboleko sent shock waves throughout the country on Wednesday, 9 November, after she allegedly bludgeoned her four young children.
She was set to make her second appearance for a formal bail application on Thursday.
Daily Sun was able to snap Nomboleko as she lay in a bed inside the Ngcobo Police Station.
She complained to an officer of shortness of breath and demanded water, which she instantly gulped. Moments later, cops chased members of the media out of the room.
On that fateful day, Nomboleko is alleged to have awoken her father screaming: “Ndibabulele abantwana bam (I have killed my children)”.
She allegedly used a four-pound sledgehammer.
The deceased children, Lizalise (11), Inganathi (9), Othalive (5) and Elihle (2) will be buried in Tsalaba Village on Friday, 18 November.
