The man accused of physically assaulting former South Africa Under-19 and Tuskers seamer Mondli Khumalo has reportedly been found not guilty.
Khumalo was with North Petherton Cricket Club in England at the time of the assault, which happened in late May 2022. Khumalo was in an induced coma after the assault.
“We are utterly dismayed that a ‘not guilty’ verdict has been reached in the trial of the man accused of the assault of our client, Mondli Khumalo, on 29 May 2022,” read a statement from player agent World Sports Xchange.
“Nearly three and a half years on from the assault to the verdict has meant that achieving a ‘beyond all reasonable doubt’ verdict for the jury was regrettably not possible.
“We would like to express our thanks to the police, the prosecution team and the witnesses who gave evidence.
“WSX stands proudly with our brother Mondli, in constant awe of his determination, courage, resilience and humility in the face of receiving and recovering from such a dreadful injury.
“That the alleged attacker danced, shouted and threw barbs the way of Mondli’s supporting attendees in the car park afterwards shows the class of human being that is now free to walk the streets. Shame on the English justice system.”
Khumalo has since recovered enough to return to first-class cricket in South Africa and joined South Western Districts. He debuted for SWD this month in the T20 Knockout.
“For me, that has been the biggest disappointment because I believe if it was me who attacked that person, I would be in prison by now and my career would be over,” Khumalo told Hollywoodbets last year.
“Sometimes, I sit by myself and look back and just feel grateful that I’m still alive, I still play cricket. Because when I look back, I think I could have died.
“For a moment after I was attacked, I thought my career was over, but I sometimes pinch myself when I’m on the pitch playing.”