Defence attorneys allege prejudice as witnesses fail to testify in prison murder trial

The lawyers for five wardens accused of murdering an inmate at Johannesburg Prison claim their clients are being prejudiced by delays in the matter.

Inmate Dumisani Ngwenya was killed in 2022 after being beaten, allegedly by prison officials who are now out on bail and standing trial.

On Tuesday, the case hit a snag with the first witness withdrawing, claiming the court could not assist him with issues he had raised.

The three defence attorneys, who asked not to be named, have accused the state of not having its house in order because the testimonies of the witnesses could not be heard.

The first witness, Siphelele Quvane, did not see eye to eye with the state prosecutor, whom he accused of incompetence, while she accused him of only raising issues she had never heard before.

One attorney, representing two of the accused, stated:

"If they are not going to use this witness, there are other witnesses they can call because we cannot be held at ransom by one witness, as this is at the detriment of the accused."

He also suggested that if the witness is alleged to be mentally unfit, they should be examined by a psychiatrist or be admitted to an institution.

The matter returns tomorrow for the allocation of a new prosecutor.

READ: State prosecutor recuses herself in Johannesburg prison warden murder trial