Outrage after UK court acquits man accused of beating promising SA cricketer into coma

Former South Africa Under-19 cricket star Mondli Khumalo is devastated after the man accused of brutally assaulting him in 2022 was found not guilty by a UK court.

The decision, reached roughly three and a half years after the incident in Bristol, has left the talented seamer and his representatives outraged at the English justice system.

The attack left Khumalo, then 20, fighting for his life in a coma after sustaining severe head injuries, including bleeding on the brain, that necessitated multiple operations.

Khumalo, who plays for the Pietermaritzburg side AET Tuskers, was performing as an overseas professional for North Petherton Cricket Club when the “unprovoked assault” occurred outside a pub. A 27-year-old man was arrested shortly after the incident on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

‘Beyond All Reasonable Doubt’ Failed Mondli Khumalo

The not-guilty verdict was met with immediate and strong condemnation from Khumalo’s agency, World Sports Xchange (WSX), which released a statement expressing “utter dismay”.

WSX lamented that the extensive delay meant that achieving a “beyond all reasonable doubt” verdict for the jury was “regrettably not possible”. They did, however, thank the witnesses, police and the prosecution team involved in the long process.

The statement further suggested that the alleged attacker displayed shocking behaviour immediately following the trial’s conclusion, claiming he “danced, shouted and threw barbs” at Khumalo’s supporters in the car park.

“Shame on the English justice system,” WSX said.

Despite the initial grim outlook, Khumalo was able to complete a remarkable recovery and return to the cricket pitch, having been capped four times at first-class level. However, the ordeal has left him with permanent scars on his skull and requiring regular medication to avoid seizures.