That’s not a sentence you get to write every day

A judge on the KwaZulu-Natal High Court has ruled that ex-Bulls flanker, Phindile Ntshongwana, is mentally fit to stand trial for the murder of three people in March last year. He also stands accused of attempted murder, kidnapping and rape from the year before.

Two of his alleged victims were bludgeoned to death with an axe, one of whom was decapitated. He also allegedly beat a man unconscious in late 2o10 with a bat, and reportedly locked a woman in his room, repeatedly raping her while keeping her captive around the same time as the attempted murder.

The basis of the appeal to test his mental fitness to stand trial was brought because Ntshongwana was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in December 2009, and was sectioned for a short time in a Durban hospital for treatment that year, and again in 2010.

Ntshongwana’s mother, Phyllian Letlaka testified on his behalf during the hearings, reporting her son’s state of mind when he was admitted in 2009, “He presented symptoms of psychotic paranoia; religious delusions; aggressive behaviour; manic, pressured speech; irritable mood; and low self-esteem,” Letlaka said, reading from a report.

Psychiatric tests carried out on him in Cape Town this month revealed that he was able to understand court proceedings, to communicate coherently, to understand the charges and make a proper defence.

He will remain in custody until November when his trial will commence.

And on that fine note, happy Friday everyone!

[Source: News24]