It described as a “miscarriage of justice” the Johannesburg Regional Court’s decision to fine the accused, Knowledge Sikelela Dube, R3,000 and give him a wholly-suspended 25-year sentence.
The family members, who stormed out of the court and accused the state of disrespecting the former Warrior, said early this week that they were exploring new avenues to see justice prevail.
“That judgment was absolute rubbish and symbolised a miscarriage of justice,” said Mbuso Dlodlo, younger brother to the deceased. “There was evidence for the accused to be handed a heavier sentence, but someone preferred to ignore it and let that criminal off the hook. CCTV cameras showed the accused hitting my brother with a brick on the head, resulting in his instant death.”
“We are now convinced that the three-year delay in finalising the case was purposeful,” said the deceased’s uncle, Mechanic Tshabalala. “We believe that the defence lawyer could have bribed the court officials into handing a petty sentence to that murderer. You can’t let go of a criminal just like that.”
The case was postponed more than 10 times since July 2009. The retired footballer died on the spot after he was fatally struck on the head with a brick during a nightclub brawl in Johannesburg’s sprawling Hillbrow suburb.
Post published in: Football