The former ANC MP and Youth League leader briefly appeared in the North West High Court, sitting at the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court, on Wednesday (5/8). Kula (37) is accused of killing his wife, Jennifer Mohlomi Kula (31), at their home in Kanana on 27 November 2022. 

The case was postponed to 23 November for the defence to begin presenting its evidence. Defence advocate Gcina Dlanjwa said Kula’s legal team would consider bringing another discharge application. 

The development follows Judge Andrew Reddy’s dismissal of an earlier application on Monday (27/7), after finding that Kula had a case to answer. Kula faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, defeating the ends of justice, contravening the Domestic Violence Act, and making false statements to the police. The State closed its case in April after calling 15 witnesses.

The witnesses included the investigating officer and a senior politician. Reddy ruled the prosecution had presented sufficient circumstantial evidence to require Kula to respond to the charges before the court considers a verdict.

The State relied partly on testimony from a neighbour who claimed she heard the couple arguing shortly before the fatal stabbing. Another witness testified that Kula had allegedly approached him to kill his wife.

Mohlomi Kula was found dead at the couple’s home on 27 November 2022 in what initially appeared to be a robbery. She had suffered a stab wound to her back, but the alleged murder weapon has never been recovered.

The matter was reported by the medical facility where Kula allegedly took her for treatment. He reportedly told police he had not been at home when the incident occurred, but investigators later linked him to the killing.

Kula was arrested in January 2023, almost two months after his wife’s death. His R50,000 bail was revoked in May 2024, and he remains in custody ahead of the continuation of the trial.

The defence is expected to present its case when proceedings resume in November. It must first decide whether to proceed with another application seeking Kula’s discharge before calling witnesses or presenting other evidence.

OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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