A misunderstanding about impact statements from victims has thrown a spanner in the works in former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli’s kidnapping case, leading to another postponement – this time for a month.

On Wednesday morning, the defence brought to the attention of the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg that the social worker who will testify in the sentencing proceedings had allegedly been instructed, by the State, “not to worry about consulting with the victims”.

The State disputed these claims.

Following a lengthy back and forth between the State and the defence, the matter was subsequently postponed to grant social worker Portia Dibishi time to conduct a comprehensive pre-sentence report that includes victim statements.

As a result, Mdluli and his co-accused are due back in court on March 11.

This is yet another postponement in the case which has been ongoing for years.

READ: Sentencing of Richard Mdluli for kidnapping, assault postponed for 6 weeks

In July last year, Mdluli and his co-accused, Mthembeni Mthunzi, were found guilty on charges relating to the 1999 kidnapping and assault of Oupa Ramogibe.

Ramogibe was married to Mdluli’s former lover, Tshidi Buthelezi. Mdluli had paid lobola for her, News24 previously reported.

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng found Mdluli guilty on four counts of intimidation, two of kidnapping, two of common assault and two of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Mthunzi was found guilty on two counts of kidnapping, two of common assault and two of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Mdluli had a long-term relationship with Buthelezi, dating back to his school days. During her relationship with him, she met Ramogibe and they began a relationship which led to marriage on July 22, 1998.

Between 1997 and 1999, Mdluli allegedly went to extreme lengths to track down Buthelezi and Ramogibe.

Mdluli and Mthunzi kidnapped and assaulted Ramogibe.

He was shot dead in 1999 and no one was convicted for his murder.