Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
05 December 2024
Evander, Mpumalanga – The bail hearing for Jabulani Nkosi, accused of the brutal murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Boitsoko Ndlovu, has sparked national outrage and emotional court picketing. The case, on the roll for three consecutive days at the Evander Magistrate Court, has now been postponed to Tuesday, 10 December 2024.
Nkosi, who has spent a year in custody following his arrest on 29 November 2023, faces accusations of dismembering Ndlovu and concealing her remains in a refrigerator before setting them alight in her rented house. The horrific crime occurred during last year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, amplifying the public’s demand for justice.
The ANC Women’s League, alongside members of Ndlovu’s home province of Gauteng, has decried the drawn-out bail application. Siki Sithole, representing the league, urged the judiciary to act with vigilance, stating, “It would be painful if the accused is released on the last day of the 16 Days of Activism. We need to see that justice is served in our country.”
Public outrage was palpable outside the court as protesters picketed against Nkosi’s release. A petition with over 500 signatures opposing his bail was submitted to the court.
Nkosi, taking the stand, claimed his innocence and alleged police brutality, testifying that he was tortured into confessing. He stated, “I was never told what I was arrested for. I only confessed to stop the assault.”
The state dismissed his claims as an attempt to manipulate the court into granting him bail.
The matter continues on 10 December 2024, as South Africans await a decision that many believe will send a critical message about the nation’s stance on gender-based violence.
