The sentencing of Phathutshedzo Mbedzi, a former Grade 12 learner at Jack Lavhengwa Secondary School, who has been convicted of the murder of fellow pupil, Matodzi Ramunenyiwa, was once more postponed due to the absence of a report by a psychologist.

During Wednesday´s court appearance the psychologist was in court, but minus the report she had to present. When she took to the witness stand, she immediately asked for a postponement to give her time to prepare the report herself.

On taking the stand psychologist Khensani Nkuna said she was not in a position to be able to continue as she did not have the report ready. Apparently her subordinates refused to compile the report, saying that they have loads of work. She asked for a three week postponement to give her time to prepare the report herself. The judge asked her who is responsible for giving orders at her work place and she replied that she has to do that as a senior, but her job does not allow her to force people to do work if they do not want to.

This did not go down well with the judge who said there is no reason for people who get paid each and every month using taxpayer´s money, to refuse to work. “We cannot be held to ransom by lazy officials. There should be order and no refusals. This case has been unjustifiably dragging on for a long time,” said Makhafola before postponing the case.

Before she took the stand, a social worker called by the defence was giving a report on her assessment of the offender and his family and that of the deceased. In her testimony, Ms Takalani Mukondeleli Mathivha, a senior probation officer stationed at Thohoyandou, said she had interviewed members of the family of the offender, the deceased and the offender himself.

She said she had looked at the different types of sentences that could be meted out to the offender. She said a suspended sentence will not suit him, judging by the seriousness of the case. The fact that he is a first offender, who has not been exposed to the situation before, should also be taken into consideration. She said the option of a fine option will also not be viable, again considering the seriousness of the matter. She recommended that a jail sentence under correctional supervision will be the best option.

Before postponing the case, Judge Makhafola hailed the report by Mathivha as one of the best ever at the Thohoyandou division and commended Mathivha for her sterling work. “Your report is one of the best in this division and the court is very impressed. Keep up the high standard. From your report we can see how much time you have given to complete it,” he said.

Mrs Sophia Ramunenyiwa, the deceased´s mother said the postponement serves her well as it will give time for all the legal processes to be followed before sentencing. "We are happy with the postponement. The courts should follow all the legal aspects and not leave anything to chance before sentencing, to avoid the possibility that the offender may feel that he has grounds for an appeal. We are happy that he had been found guilty and convicted as charged and we are just waiting for justice to take its course," she said.

Mbedzi was late last year convicted of murder and has been behind bars since his arrest in May 2009 for fatally stabbing a classmate at the Jack Lavhengwa Secondary School. Matodzi Ramunenyiwa (22) was killed during lunchtime in 2009. During the incident, Ramunenyiwa was stabbed once in the chest and died.