Kelly’s sister receives flak for ‘covertly’ celebrating Mngomezulu’s passing

Kelly Khumalo’s sister, Zandile, is receiving flak from some South Africans, who believe she covertly celebrated advocate Thulani Mngomezulu’s death last night – just hours after his demise.

In an Instagram post that has the South Africans fuming, the singer who was seemingly talking about her upcoming song wrote: “Ithi lengoma “Bathinta thina bazofa baphele imikhonto yethu ingcolile, sizinsizwa webafana!!!!!!!” Ubosiphathisa okwezikhali zamaNtungwa.”

The message is loosely translated as ‘this song says: those who touch us will all die. Our spears are dirty, we are warriors.’

It left many, who believe the post was not a coincidence, riled up.

 

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A post shared by Zandie Khumalo (@zandie_khumalo_gumede)

And this is what Zandile Khumalo is saying! “People of interest” SA we are on our own! Our justice system is a mess #SenzoMeyiwaTrial pic.twitter.com/W2msLLKneX

— JUSTICE FOR SENZO MEYIWA! (@SiboneloNdlovu_) December 11, 2024

Mngomezulu passed away yesterday in hospital after being ill for some time.

Zandile has not yet responded to the claims levelled against her, but one Instagram user has come to her defence, saying she has been posting about the song for more than a year now.

The singer is not the only one who is receiving public wrath following Mngomezulu’s untimely passing.

Judge Ratha Mokgoatleng, who is presiding over the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, has also come under fire from South Africans who say he has been insensitive toward Mngomezulu – sometimes even mocking him.

Some of them are now calling for a formal complaint to be lodged against him for the conduct, they deem, unprofessional and unacceptable.

The social media users accuse the judge of having constantly disrespected and belittled the defense lawyer for his health struggles, just yesterday even claiming to have heard someone say they had seen him within the court precinct.

RIP Ntate Mngomezulu.

That judge Ratha, who harassed you to the very end, where he was employing gossip against you and your illness, in a court of law, with the nation watching, must be happy now.

O mo tsamaye, o mo pokele goed that bloody grumpy satane! pic.twitter.com/dOkG0JiFfj

— Mr. Tshweu (@TshweuMoleme) December 10, 2024

Dear @OCJ_RSA we are not personal about Judge Ratha! This judge makes it clear that there’s something sinister happening regarding #SenzoMeyiwaTrial. He Mocked Adv. Mngomezulu about his health until his last day. How do you expect us to have faith in this Judiciary??

— Sir. Gilbert Sibeko (@Khupha_S) December 11, 2024

And someone lied and said Adv Mngomezulu was in court! The judge said he has sources! The judge asked Gininda about his sources and they even laughed about it! Judge Ratha should recuse himself from this case! #SenzoMeyiwaTrial

— Chanté 👑 (@_Chanteh) December 10, 2024

I feel sad to hear of the passing away of Adv . Mngomezulu who really fought hard for the truth to come out of the real murderers of the late Orlando Pirates ☠ goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa. It is disheartening that Judge Ratha disrespected him to the extent of insinuating that he… pic.twitter.com/nWjuBqJ31l

— 💜Mao🇿🇦 (@Remiazania1) December 10, 2024

What a blow to the Meyiwa family. Another person who was assisting in solving the mystery of their son’s death has now died. I hope and pray that Mngomezulu’s death reminds Judge Ratha that it wouldn’t have hurt had he been a little compassionate towards him.

— Keatlaretse (@Keatlar58781065) December 10, 2024

I no longer trust Judge Ratha. He is biased and insensitive. #RIPMngomezulu 💔 #SenzoMeyiwaTrial https://t.co/zIsc9Ny5rU

— Rufaz–Jerera❤King❤ (@Mavhure) December 11, 2024

 

However, legal expert, Zola Majavu, believes the judge is being unfairly judged.

He says it would be unfair to say he was unsympathetic, or he did something short of what was expected from him as a judicial officer.

“It’s (being a judge) delicate balancing and we do so differently. I cannot necessarily fault the judge, his choice of diction may have been different to what others would have said but I don’t think it’s that serious that it would have vitiated the proceedings,” says the veteran lawyer.

Majavu says a judge is not a neutral umpire, but their job is to make sure that a trial moves with the necessary speed.

At the time of his death Mngomezulu was expected to begin his cross-examination of the lead investigator in the case, Brigadier Bongani Gininda, who has been named as the state’s last witness in the Meyiwa matter.

The case, which started with a moment of silence today, has been adjourned to 8 January for a special sitting to allow for Sibiya to confirm his lawyer.

 The main trial will resume on 20 January.