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Child killer suspect accused of delaying tactics

Mbombela - A man who allegedly murdered and then raped the corpse of his lover's 8-year-old daughter has been accused of using delaying tactics after he told a judge that he was dumping his lawyer.

Edgar Charles Mabunda, 31, from Timbavati Trust outside Acornhoek, appeared in the Nelspruit circuit of the High Court in Pretoria on Monday, a News24 correspondent reported.

He was arrested on August 8 2013, following the murder of Miranda Shongile Mayinga on July 29 2013. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, rape and kidnapping.

The court heard that the girl was kidnapped while walking to school with other children on the morning of July 29.

Her half-naked body was found lying in the bushes in New Forest, with her socks tied around her neck.

No co-operation from accused

The cause of death was strangulation, which lead to hypoxia. It was also found that her corpse had been raped.

Judgment was delayed on November 28 last year when the accused had to be rushed to a doctor after he said he was not feeling well in court.

Judge Peter Mabuse postponed the case to May 4 for him to get medical attention.

The accused's defence lawyer Nico Du Plessis told the court he could not get any co-operation from the accused for continuation.

“I have tried speaking to him, I cannot get anything,” Du Plessis told the court.

Judge Mabuse asked the accused to explain himself.

“What is your plan, Mr Mabunda?” Mabuse asked.

“I'll talk to my private counsel. I've got a cellphone inside prison and I've got his number. I'll call him,” the accused said.

Prosecutor Advocate Kenneth Mashile said Mabunda was delaying the case deliberately.

“The accused is delaying the case, which comes a long way. How does he intend to pay his private counsel? His family is not before court and he did not get his private counsel from the onset,” said Mashile.

Paying lawyer

Judge Mabuse asked the accused how he would settle his payment as he was previously assisted by the State.

“How are you going to pay?” Mabuse asked.

The accused replied that when Du Plessis took over, his previous counsel refunded him.

“I still have the money. I'll use it to pay my counsel,” he said.

Judge Mabuse agreed to the accused's request. He told him to make sure he secures a lawyer by Wednesday.

The case was postponed to Wednesday.

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