The prospects of Simphiwe Mondli (20) writing his final matric exams are in jeopardy after the Brandfort Magistrate’s Court postponed the hearing for bail application during his appearance on Monday.
His hearing was deferred by seven days without the court making a pronouncement about his request to write the exams.
Mondli reappeared in court at the beginning of this week regarding the murder of teacher Matefo Mphosela (35).
The suspect is part of a group of 27 learners at the Kagisano Combined School who were in the victim’s Physical Sciences class. He is remanded in custody while his 26 classmates write their exams, which officially started yesterday.
The court objected to Mondli’s request to write exams during his first appearance on 24 October. According to the court, his presence at the school could further traumatise other learners already distressed by the teacher’s shocking death on 20 October.
Mondli has discontinued the services of Legal Aid South Africa for a private attorney and this also caused delay in the bail application.
Molefi Molefi, provincial spokesperson of Legal Aid SA, said during Mondli’s appearance on Monday his family terminated the representation by the legal practitioner of state-funded body Collect Shongwe in this matter.
The Free State Department of Education initially voiced its decision to allow Mondli to write his final matric exams. However, the court ruled otherwise.
Mondli faces a charge of murder following Mphosela’s death after being stabbed with a knife. She was reportedly attacked at night at her house in the Ikgomotseng township. The motive for her attack is unknown.
According to the police, Mphosela succumbed to her injuries after she had been stabbed at about 21:00. She reportedly died in the ambulance that was taking her to the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.
