THE criminal proceedings against convicted murderer Romoulad Brown (45) have been postponed until 2024.
This is due to the absence of the judge presiding over the case. Brown appeared briefly before the High Court in Mbombela on Tuesday, 16 October.
The state advocate, Beauty Shibangu, told the court that the state was ready to proceed with the case but that the presiding judge wasn't available.
Defence lawyer Keabetswe Mokotedi told the court that he was ready to hear the case that day. He pointed out that he would not be available this year and asked the court to postpone the matter until next year.
Brown was found guilty of the premeditated murder of his ex-lover Nomthandazo Nguni (30) in June 2023.
The incident happened on 21 August 2021 at Dwaleni, in KaBokweni outside White River. The accused forced Mnguni to drink petrol before dousing her with it and setting her on fire in front of her family's house.
The deceased called her mum for help, who came out and helped her put out the fire by pouring buckets of water on her. She then took the deceased to Themba Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries a few days later.
ALSO READ: Thula nana, thula: Teen mum regrets tlof tlof!
Brown testified in court that the fire started when he argued with the deceased over money. He said he lifted the petrol container while lighting a cigarette on the side. He told the court that the container fell down and caught fire from the cigarette.
The deceased's mum, Josephine Mnguni (63) said the family is hurt because they thought the matter was going to be finalised on Tuesday.
"We want to move on with life. The more we come to court, the more it hurts. Right now, there's nothing we can do because at the end of the day justice has to take its place. God will stand by us while we wait," she said.
The matter was postponed to 26 February 2024 for sentencing proceedings.
