Ntokozo Xulu’s nightmare tale – of being jailed for 813 days accused of homicide after protecting himself in opposition to hijackers – is a sober reminder concerning the significance of our judiciary.
Our courts are all that stands between blameless other folks and miscarriages of justice… dreadful eventualities which might be ceaselessly the fault of planned motion, omission, or incompetence by way of our law enforcement officials and prosecuting gadget.
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In Xulu’s case, Prime Courtroom in Johannesburg Appearing Pass judgement on Irene de Vos discovered police had intentionally withheld from prosecutors and magistrates that the person had acted in self-defence right through a hijacking by way of capturing one among his attackers, who later died. On account of this, Xulu used to be denied bail and his lifestyles turned into a horror tale.
He advised the courtroom his daughter, who depended on him for hospital treatment, used to be left helpless. His spouse walked out in their marriage whilst he used to be incarcerated.
Xulu stated he lived in worry of gangs in Johannesburg Jail and suffered a psychological breakdown, for which he used to be hospitalised and handled for greater than two weeks.
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In awarding R2.6 million in damages to Xulu, De Vos despatched a message to the police that this type of behaviour would no longer be tolerated. However we expect those that perverted justice must themselves be locked up.
