This as the trial against Mojalefa Letele, accused of ordering a hit on the slain Nomsa Stuurman, was set to conclude today, after starting on 3 August at the Bloemfontein High Court. The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping tells OFM News that he doesn't see the case being finalised on Friday, and thinks it will be postponed for further deliberation.

Letele is set with a mammoth task of explaining why the murder and rape convict, Jongikhaya Samsam, alleges that he is the mastermind in the murder of Stuurman - and if he coerced him with the promise of R100 000 and per of sneakers- in exchange for the killing. Phaladi further tells OFM News that Letele is yet to take the stand.

In March 2019, Samsam slit Stuurman's throat with a pair of scissors, held her body hostage and proceeded to rape her then-pregnant colleague in Goedmoed prison offices - where Samsam was working a cleaner.

It was also heard in the High Court in Bloemfontein in 2019 during his trial, that negotiators spent considerable time trying to convince Samsam to release Stuurman and her colleague.

The court further heard that during the negotiations, Samsam allegedly told the negotiators that he wanted to pray but it was just his ploy to rape’s Stuurman's pregnant colleague.

He was slapped with two life imprisonment sentences.

OFM News previously reported that three parties, which include the families of the officers, are suing the Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola, for millions in damages.

The department's Deputy Commissioner, Logan Maistry, confirmed that summons was served on Lamola by the families of slain Stuurman and her colleague.

Maistry further told OFM News that as part of the due process, Lamola also filed papers accordingly. Daily Maverick reports Lamola filed a plea in response to the widower Nyanisile Stuurman’s and Nomsa's colleague's claims, in which he denied that he was liable and alleged instead that the victims were negligent.

He wants the Bloemfontein High Court to make an order declaring the victims were negligent and that any damages awarded against him get reduced by a “just and equitable” extent given their "degree of negligence”.

OFM News