adminShamiso Dzingire Court Reporter
PROCEEDINGS at Bulawayo’s Tredgold Magistrate court came to a halt yesterday when a stock theft suspect suddenly went into labour. Millia Ndlovu, 35, of Ekhubeni Village in Bubi district was outside court 3 with her co-accused Luke Tshabalala, 34, awaiting trial when she developed stomach cramps.
She frequently asked for permission from prison officers to use the toilet which was granted.
The officers, who were apparently unaware that she was pregnant, were jolted into action when she told them she was about to have a baby.
There was commotion as they blocked her from visiting the toilet after one of them indicated she could give birth in the toilet.
One of the officers was forced to break laid down procedures and disrupted a court session.
She dashed into the courtroom and told the magistrate, Marylene Mtshina, that a suspect was giving birth outside the courtroom.
The magistrate who was presiding over another case, aborted trial and ordered the prison officers to promptly bring Ndlovu to the dock.
She immediately ruled that Ndlovu’s case would be postponed indefinitely and the State would proceed by way of summons.
Pandemonium continued outside the courtroom as a court interpreter called an ambulance.
Two officers supported Ndlovu who could hardly walk.
The ambulance took long to arrive and she had to be rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital in a taxi.
Her condition could not be ascertained by the time of going to print.
The case arose sometime in April this year when Ndlovu and Tshabalala of Pumula South allegedly trapped three goats with snares along Nkayi Road towards Khoce River.
The goats belonged to Evelyn Malisa.
They slaughtered the three goats and threw away the hides, the court heard.
The pair allegedly sold the meat in Pumula South
The three goats were valued at $450 and nothing was recovered.
Online Reporter