THE murder trial of Velly Thwala was delayed as the court ordered the police to take the accused for medical attention.
This after the 39-year-old earlier told the Mbombela High Court on Thursday, 29 October that he was suffering from a toothache, which started on the afternoon of Wednesday, 28 February.
"When I arrived in prison, I suffered a toothache. As I 'm talking, the pain gets worse. I don't see myself managing to proceed even if I try," he said
Thwala is facing a charge of murder. It is alleged that the accused assaulted his 19-year-old lover, Nontobeko Msithini, to death and later stuffed her body in a bag.
The incident occurred in February 2023 in Barberton, Mpumalanga. The shocking discovery was made by community members who had noticed blood dripping from the bag Thwala was carrying using a trolley.
When they cornered him, he told them he was going to dispose a carcass of his pit bull. Community members forced him to open the bag and found the body of Msithini.
The accused was expected to take the stand to give evidence in the trial within a trial on Thursday.
Judge Henk Roelofse then stood the matter down for two hours. He told the accused that he will make an order so that he can be immediately taken to Rob Ferreira Hospital for medical attention.
"The Department of Correctional Services is hereby directed to take the accused Mr Thwala for immediate medical attention for the toothache and report back in this court by no later than 12-noon today concerning Mr Thwala's condition," he said.
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When Thwala returned to court, he was unable to speak and handed in a piece of paper to the court which read: " Dear Sir, I am hereby requesting that the court should postpone the trial due to my tooth being taken out at Rob Ferreira Hospital. I'm not feeling well because of the pain I am experiencing right now."
But the state advocate, Antoinette Nkosi, handed in a doctor's report which confirmed that Thwala has decaying teeth however he refused to be treated stating that his religion didn't allow him to be injected. The report further indicated that he was also provided with pain medication.
Roelofse responded by saying that he understands that the accused is representing himself and it might be difficult for him to concentrate. He added that he will give him time to take his medication.
"We will proceed tomorrow (Friday, 1 March) morning. You must take your pain medication. I'm going to give you this afternoon so that your pain medication can work. We cannot postpone this matter because some of the witnesses have to work, and we need to get this matter done. Keep taking your medication. Let's hope the voice is back tomorrow morning," he said.
The matter was postponed to Friday, 1 March.
