Emotions flared during today’s heavily policed court proceedings, when Lelethu Nkosana (26) appeared in connection with the brutal murder of Veronique May (8), a girl whose body was discovered on 6 October in KwaLanga.
The court proceedings at the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court came to a halt when an attack on the accused took place as he was approaching the dock.
As soon as Nkosana showed his face, a water bottle flew across the room, thrown by the grandfather of Veronique, accompanied by words that the accused will rue the day he took a life. The father of Veronique, Bulelani Khumazi, was pacified by a family member who said, “Calm down,” to which he responded, “I will!”
Seated in the front row of the court, Khumazi jumped the barrier and landed on Nkosana as he was trying to escape down the stairs under the courtroom. Both family members were escorted out of the courtroom by the police.
Nkosana has been described by community members as some-one who they knew well and reagrded as well-mannered. He regulary did odd jobs in the area.
Many community members protested outside the court today in solidarity with the family. When they heard of the scuffle that took place inside the courtroom, some of them tried to gain entry into the building, which was on lockdown in an attempt to protect the accused so that he could stand in court uninterrupted.
When the proceedings were set to resume, those present were reminded to let the law take its course and allow the proceedings to continue, which they abided by.
Nkosana told the court that he intends to be represented by Legal Aid and that he would not be applying for bail.
When asked about his criminal history, he said that this was not his first time on the wrong side of the law. In 2022 and 2023 he was arrested for assault and received a suspended sentence.
The prosecutor stated in court that this is a Schedule 6 offence.
According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, preliminary information indicates that the young victim was reported missing by her family on Sunday, 5 October, at SAPS Kamesh after 17:00.
“A search was immediately launched by the police,” she said. “Information was obtained regarding who Veronique May (8) was last seen with on Sunday evening. SAPS Kamesh found the man and, for his own safety from the community, he was removed from the community to the police station.”
Janse Van Rensburg added that after the suspect was questioned yesterday, he took the investigating officer to De Booi Street, KwaLanga, where her lifeless body was found in one of the rooms on the premises.
Ward 50 Councillor Nomxolisi Phezisa said that she is still shocked at the incident. “Lelethu is known to the community, we all know him as well-mannered. He normally does odd jobs at my neighbour’s house, cleaning the yard, that sort of thing. I even saw him next door on Saturday. I feel unsafe now, because I have a young daughter as well,” she said.
She added that she called municipal officials yesterday to get help for the family. “I arranged counselling for the family during this tough time, because normally in cases like these, we often focus on getting the perpetrators behind bars, but this time, I felt that I needed to do something for the family.”
Sharing that kids cannot even be safe in their own neighbourhoods now, Phezisa said that the man is known to the family.
He grew up near Veronique’s mother, Destiny. He was trusted by the family.
On the outcome of the proceedings, Phezisa said that she knows what will happen to him should he be released. “The community is united in their fight against crime. It is in his best interest to stay in prison for the rest of his life, because I believe that if he is let go, he will do it again,” she concluded.
Speaking to UD Express, Khumazi requested time to contain his emotions before speaking to the media.
The accused will remain in custody until his next court appearance, 10 November.
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