Ntuli criticises state-funded legal aid in brutal family murder case

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli says it is regrettable that people accused of serious crimes are entitled to free legal representation paid for by the state.

He made the comments while supporting families and community members at the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court, where three suspects appeared in connection with the murder of seven relatives, from Newtown Newark.

Businessman Alan Monswamy, his wife, their two children, and three other family members, were kidnapped from their home last Tuesday.

Authorities say they were stabbed and shot, and their bodies were found about 200kms away the next day. It is also alleged that money was taken from their bank accounts and that one of the women was sexually assaulted.

Ntuli commented on the matter.

“I’ve heard that there are 17 counts that are to be considered by the courts and possibilities that the case will continue to regional court or even to higher court that might give an indication of the kind of sentence we might see here which will be an important lesson but I am quite worried about some of the things I have seen. There are people who commit such crimes that will get free legal support; it is quite very unfortunate,” says Ntuli.

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