The murder trial involving two accused, Tshilidzi Simethi (60) and his alleged accomplice, Tsundzuka Hlengani (34), who stand accused of killing Ms Esther Simethi, has hit yet another snag after being postponed to the new year.
The case, which involves Simethi's husband, Tshilidzi, and a co-accused, has faced repeated delays since the victim's death in 2018.
Earlier this year, on 23 June, the trial was set to resume in the Thohoyandou High Court, sitting at the Waterval Magistrate's Court, but further obstacles emerged. The legal representative for one of the accused indicated he was withdrawing from the matter, citing non-payment of fees. The case was then postponed to 24 June.
When proceedings resumed, the State submitted an application for the presiding judge to recuse himself, citing a conflict of interest. The judge subsequently withdrew.
The trial was expected to start on 10 November but was postponed again, this time to 13 April 2026, after the newly appointed defence counsel requested more time to familiarise himself with the matter.
The latest setback has not been well received by the family, who have repeatedly expressed frustration with what they view as unnecessary delays.
The late nurse's daughter, Ms Khumbudzo Simethi, voiced her disappointment. "We are not happy at all. As a family we had hoped that, with the new judge presiding, the case would move with speed, but it is one stumbling block after another. We are tempted to suspect there is something behind the delays. Just imagine, the incident happened in 2018, but till today we are still in suspense and not getting closure. All that is happening are delaying tactics that are adding more pain to us as children. We want this case to be finalised once and for all so we can move on with our lives," she said.
Mr Richard Ramabulana of the Musikitedzi crime-fighting organisation echoed the family's concerns. "We now suspect there is a sinister hand behind the unnecessary delays. We urge the community to rally behind the family. We are now planning to keep vigil at the court when the trial resumes in the new year. We hope this will exert pressure on the court to finalise the case," he said.
Simethi, a 47-year-old professional nurse and clinic manager from Haraliphaswa in Nzhelele, was shot dead in what is believed to have been a contract killing in 2018.
The suspects are out on bail.