Lux et Veritas
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Themba Mazibuko and Janet Henzen-du Toit were appointed by Judge Masipa before the trial began. They are there to help the judge decide whether Pistorius is guilty or not. Despite the media hype surrounding the case, not much has been said about the two assessors.
Mannie Witz, an advocate with the Bridge Group at the Johannesburg Bar, says Mazibuko is "fresh out of university" and comes from an academic background. Other than that, little is known about him.
Henzen-du Toit, on the other hand, is well known as an advocate who has defended murders and rapes, says Witz. She joined the Pretoria Bar in 1998, before leaving for the Rebel Bar in North West in 2003. She became a member of the National Forum of Advocates in 2005 and also presided over trials as an assessor during this period. In 2006, she returned to Pretoria and joined the Legal Aid Board. In 2010, she became a unit manager in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.
A profile of Henzen-du Toit published by Beeld newspaper earlier this month pointed out that she was an expert in criminal justice. She has an Honours degree in psychology and Master's degree in criminal justice and criminal prosecution. She is working on a doctorate in criminal law, criminal prosecution, evidence and constitutional interpretation.
http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com/democracy/3759-assessors-can-decide-pistorius-s-fate
Highly experienced assessor Henzen-du Toit appeared to be a very smart choice. However, assessor Mazibuko was 100% raw, the ink on his diploma still wet, i.e. zero experience. Seriously, what was he doing on a complex, high-profile murder trial?!
While every brand new attorney needs experience to become a skilled, competent advocate, logic dictates that SA’s Trial of the Century was not the proper venue. Considering the ultra-high stakes in this trial, such a green legal choice is really alarming.
What could possibly have been the rationale for choosing such a judicial babe in the woods?