Sentencing of Mido Macia killers postponed

“There has been discussions with me in chambers. The pre-sentence reports are not ready yet. They have to be compiled by officers appointed by the defence. The reports will be ready within a month or so,” Judge Bert Bam said addressing a packed courtroom.

“Accordingly, this matter is now postponed. The accused are in custody until November 11 this year.”

Last month, Bam convicted the eight former police officers of murdering Macia.

Macia was dragged behind a police van in February 2013. He was later found dead in the Daveyton police station’s holding cells.

Bongamusa Mdluli, Meshack Malele, Thamsanqa Ngema, Percy Mnisi, Sipho Ngobeni, Lungisa Gwababa, Bongani Kolisi and Linda Sololo were all dismissed from the SA Police Service following a disciplinary hearing.

In August, a ninth former police officer, initially charged with the group, was acquitted by the court. Matome Ramatlou walked out of the court a free man after Bam told him that there was no evidence linking him to the murder.

Macia was approached by members of the police on the afternoon of the incident in February 2013, after he illegally parked his taxi and caused a traffic jam.

An altercation between him and the police ensued and they tried to place him in the back of a police van.

According to the former police offcers , one of Macia’s handcuffs became entangled to the leg of a bench in the back of the van when he fell out of the van.

They claimed he was dragged along the street of Daveyton to the local police station by mistake.

However, the State claimed the accused were well aware of the fact he was being dragged behind the van.

Macia was later found dead in the Daveyton police station’s holding cells.

The incident made international headlines and sparked several protests against police brutality.

On Tuesday, numerous local and international media houses, including TV Mozambique, were broadcasting from the courtroom. - ANA