Acting judge Mvuzo Notyesi sent a copy of Tuesday's judgment to the minister of justice, saying Ngcongolo's explanation that she went ahead with the trial assisted by only one assessor - when the law prescribes two in a murder case - because of a staff shortage, was unacceptable.
“Reasons relating to the lack of human resources cannot be a justification for non-compliance,” Notyesi said.
“The failure by the court manager to timeously arrange for the presence of assessors must be seen and viewed in the light of failing systems.
“It follows that the proper functioning of the courts and the efficient administration of justice stand at a risk of being compromised.”
Notyesi said Ngcongolo did the right thing at the start of the trial when she asked the defendants if they wanted to exercise their right to be tried with the assistance of assessors.
The trial was adjourned, but when it resumed only one assessor was available, and the magistrate went ahead anyway.
“After the leading of evidence, closing of the cases for both parties and hearing arguments, the regional magistrate convicted the two accused on a charge of murder,” said the judge.
“However, before commencing with the sentencing, the magistrate became concerned that the proceedings may not have been conducted according to justice.”
Ngcongolo asked the high court to set aside the convictions, and Notyesi said: "[She] had no discretion ... to order that the trial proceeds only with one assessor.
“The court was accordingly not properly constituted. That defect affects the conviction of the accused and as such the conviction stands to be set aside.”
TimesLIVE
Two men convicted of murder in the clear after error by magistrate
Image: Google Street View
Two men have had their murder convictions set aside after what a judge called a “gross irregularity” by the regional court magistrate who tried them.
Malibongwe Papiyana and Luvo Mbana, who were convicted by magistrate Nosisa Ngcongolo in Lady Frere, Eastern Cape, are free men after the decision by the Mthatha high court.
Image: dispatchlive.co.za
Acting judge Mvuzo Notyesi sent a copy of Tuesday's judgment to the minister of justice, saying Ngcongolo's explanation that she went ahead with the trial assisted by only one assessor - when the law prescribes two in a murder case - because of a staff shortage, was unacceptable.
“Reasons relating to the lack of human resources cannot be a justification for non-compliance,” Notyesi said.
“The failure by the court manager to timeously arrange for the presence of assessors must be seen and viewed in the light of failing systems.
“It follows that the proper functioning of the courts and the efficient administration of justice stand at a risk of being compromised.”
Notyesi said Ngcongolo did the right thing at the start of the trial when she asked the defendants if they wanted to exercise their right to be tried with the assistance of assessors.
The trial was adjourned, but when it resumed only one assessor was available, and the magistrate went ahead anyway.
“After the leading of evidence, closing of the cases for both parties and hearing arguments, the regional magistrate convicted the two accused on a charge of murder,” said the judge.
“However, before commencing with the sentencing, the magistrate became concerned that the proceedings may not have been conducted according to justice.”
Ngcongolo asked the high court to set aside the convictions, and Notyesi said: "[She] had no discretion ... to order that the trial proceeds only with one assessor.
“The court was accordingly not properly constituted. That defect affects the conviction of the accused and as such the conviction stands to be set aside.”
TimesLIVE
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