A father accused of killing his stepdaughter and stabbing her through the side of her head yesterday appeared in the Western Cape High Court, where the trial commenced.
Xolelani Mjada pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder, rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances and housebreaking. As part of his formal admissions, Mjada, through his lawyer, Office Mtini, said, “I admit that the deceased was known to me, she was my stepdaughter as I was married to her mother.”
The State alleged that on November 9, 2020 in the evening, Mjada broke into Yonela’s home where she stayed with her mother, Phumeza Kopana, and brother in Swartberg Street, Wellington. He allegedly stabbed and assaulted the 17-year-old, robbing her of her cellphone.
That night, Mjada was seen by neighbours leaving…