Attorney and acting magistrate sentenced for contempt after court absences.
A KwaZulu-Natal attorney who also acts as a magistrate has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, with the option of paying a R10,000 fine, after the Durban High Court found him guilty of contempt of court for repeatedly failing to attend proceedings and comply with court orders.
In a strongly worded judgment, Judge Jacqueline Henriques said Sithembiso Nkatha, who represents alleged hitman Sbonelo Wiseman Shangase, had repeatedly disregarded court directives during the proceedings. The judge also noted that Nkatha showed no remorse, even after being convicted of contempt.
Shangase is standing trial alongside Thalente Mkhize. The pair face 28 charges, including 15 counts of murder, robbery, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and kidnapping. The charges also relate to the execution-style killings of six people in Nanda.
Nkatha is accused of contributing to delays that pushed the high-profile murder trial back by more than a year. The pre-trial proceedings were also delayed over disputes surrounding Shangase’s ability to pay Nkatha’s legal fees.
