On Tuesday, the ongoing case concerning the brutal murder of 10-year-old Lihle Zenzile saw a critical update in the Paarl Regional Court.
Lihle Zenzile murder case update: Here’s what went down in court today
The accused, identified as a close family member of Lihle, faces charges including assault, rape, and premeditated murder.
Tuesday’s court session, a new psychological report was presented, confirming the accused’s mental fitness for trial.
This report contradicts the initial findings and supports the prosecution’s challenge to an earlier claim of mental disability by the defence.
Previously, the defence had submitted a preliminary report suggesting the accused suffered from a mental disability, which could have influenced their capability to stand trial.
However, this claim was not upheld in subsequent assessments, leading to the decision to move forward with the trial proceedings.
“Multiple postponements for mental evaluations and filing issues have caused stress and trauma to the family, and unnecessarily delayed justice,” Action Society, an anti-crime activist group, said in a statement.
How Zenzile was killed
Lihle was murdered on 6 January 2023, in her own home, where she lived with her parents and the accused, who was a relative and resident in the same household.
The method of her murder was particularly brutal; she was strangled by the suspect, who then concealed her body in a trunk under her parents’ bed.
The crime came to light when the suspect surrendered to the police and led them to Lihle’s hidden body within the family home.
The trial has been rescheduled to 17 May 2024, when a plea bargain is expected to be discussed.
