If Livhu is guilty, you can cut up my body, says lawyer

The high-profile murder trial of comedian and entertainer Livhuwani Madadzhe, also known as SABC Livhu, has been postponed to 27 January 2025, coincidentally the eve of the third anniversary of his wife’s death.

Madadzhe faces charges related to the murder of his wife, Lindelani Nengovhela. The trial, held at the Thohoyandou High Court sitting in Waterval, could not proceed as scheduled because of other ongoing cases on the court roll.

Ms Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, the National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson, confirmed the postponement, explaining that the court is currently handling another case. “The trial is postponed to 27 January 2025 until 31 January,” Dzhangi stated.

His lawyer, Adv Ntsako Hlungwani, expressed great confidence in his client’s innocence. In a bold statement during a live interview on Vhembe FM with Phumudzo Siavhe, Hlungwani said, “If Livhu doesn’t win this case, I will write an affidavit permitting my body parts to be cut off with a grinder in front of everyone, preferably at Thohoyandou Stadium.”

Hlungwani assured the public that he had substantial evidence to ensure Madadzhe's acquittal. “I can say without fear that SABC Livhu will walk out a free man. I have the evidence, and I’m confident in the preparation for this case,” he added.

He also mentioned that the case had been postponed because he was working on another trial, the Radzuma case, which had already started.

Following the postponement, Sylvia Nengovhela, the elder sister of the deceased, expressed the family's continued faith in the justice system, despite the delay. “I believe the trial will begin, and we will get justice. As a family, we are just hurt by what Livhu’s lawyer said on the radio. Livhu is the only suspect in the case, and the lawyer should not be so boastful,” she said. She also voiced concerns over Madadzhe’s request to sign for his bail only once a month.

“He should not be allowed to sign only once a month. Although we are hopeful of finding justice, we wish the case had not been postponed, so that we can move on with our lives.”

Currently, Madadzhe signs for his bail every Friday and Monday at Sandton Police Station. He requested the judge to allow him to sign only once a month, but the judge referred him back to the court that had granted him bail.

Date:20 September 2024

By: Maanda Bele

Maanda  Bele, born and raised in Nzhelele Siloam, studied journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology.

He is passionate about current news and international affairs.

He worked as part of the Zoutnet team as an intern in 2017.

He is currently a freelance journalist specialising in news from the Vhembe district.

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