Charges against Mark Zinde to be centralised
The two separate charges levelled against Mark Zinde, who allegedly murdered his mother and assaulted his father, will be centralised.
Zinde appeared in the Brits Magistrate's Court yesterday.
He is facing a murder charge in that court for allegedly killing his mother - former SABC board member Hope Zinde.
He is also facing a separate assault charge in the Vereeniging Magistrate's Court, after he allegedly attacked his father, Dr. Lebohang Manoto.
According to a Brits court official, a decision was made to centralise the charges as Zinde is again set to undergo psychiatric evaluation at the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital.
This is the second time the defence has applied for Zinde to undergo psychiatric evaluation.
His first application was declined after the hospital said Zinde did not suffer from any mental illness when he allegedly murdered his mother and was fit to stand trial.
However, Francois Joubert, Zinde's lawyer, refuted the psychiatric assessment, saying his client suffered from schizophrenia.
Zinde is expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate's Court on 24 January when an application for admission to Weskoppies will be made.
A High Court date will also be set for the centralisation of the charges.
Hope Zinde's body was found in the boot of her car at her home in the Pecanwood Estate in Hartbeespoort Dam in June.
Zinde was arrested shortly thereafter and released on bail of R10 000.
His bail was, however, revoked following the assault of his father, with whom Zinde had been living since his release on bail.