Court grants trial within a trial in murder accused Ndou’s case

The Thohoyandou High Court in Limpopo has granted an application for a trial within a trial in the case of multiple murder accused, Enoch Ndou.

This is intended to make a decision on the confession statement by Ndou which is being disputed by defence lawyer, Kagiso Muthivhithivhi.

Advocate Muthivhithivhi argues that the confession statement by his client shouldn’t be admitted as evidence as it was made under duress.

The High Court is sitting at the Waterval Magistrate’s Court outside Louis Trichardt.

Ndou is accused of the murder of seven family members at Jimmy Jones Village outside Malamulele on Christmas Day in 2021.

Judge Thogomelani Tshidada made the ruling, “As a result of your contestation of the admissibility of the confession statement by the accused, in this regard a trial within a trial be held to adduce evidence that will assist to prove or disprove the admissibility of the said confession statement. The court accordingly grants order one that a trial within a trial be held within the course of these proceedings.”

The trial has adjourned to Friday.