Durban – The trial of Joseph Ntshongwana, the former Blue Bulls player accused of killing four people with an axe, was postponed in the Durban High Court on Monday after his legal representative failed to arrive at court.

Acting Judge Irfaan Khalil said he had received an e-mail informing him that Themba Mjoli could not make the case on Monday as he was himself an acting judge in a matter being heard in Pietermaritzburg.

Khalil said Mjoli’s failure to inform the court timeously of his ability to attend Ntshongwana’s trial caused “a great deal of inconvenience and prejudice” as well as “fruitless expenditure” that resulted from witnesses and attorneys arriving at court for a case that could not proceed.

Khalil said Mjoli would have to explain his “default” at not being in court on Monday.

The case was postponed to Tuesday.

Ntshongwana is charged with the murder of Thembelenkosini Cebekhulu in Montclair on March 20, 2011, Paulos Hlongwa two days later, Simon Ngidi the following day, and an unidentified man sometime that week.

All were hacked to death with an axe.

He is also accused of kidnapping and raping a woman on November 28, 2010, and of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

He also faces two charges of attempted murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

The woman, who cannot be named, was kidnapped in central Durban and held captive for three days.

Sapa