Over two and a half (2.5) years ago, on September 19th 2018, Nhlanhla Dlamini, a then-21-year-old Black man, was shot in the back with a 3 ¼ inch nail by a co-worker at PQ Properties Ltd., Shawn Wade Hynes. Mr. Dlamini has alleged that the attack was racially motivated and occurred after weeks of race-based bullying by Mr. Hynes. Although Mr. Dlamini’s employer did not call an ambulance or seek medical attention on his behalf, the attack resulted in a collapsed lung for Mr. Dlamini that required immediate surgery and 4 days in hospital. His doctor told him he will never regain complete functionality of the injured lung.

Initially a charge of “Criminal Negligence Resulting in Bodily Harm” was laid against Mr. Hynes, and after public outcry, a second charge, “Assault with a Weapon” was added. The ensuing trial lasted for one year, and on September 26th 2019, a guilty verdict was rendered on both counts.

Sentencing was meant to be delivered on November 15th 2019, but was reserved so that Judge Del Atwood could study the verdict delivered in another precedent-setting case in which the Community was permitted to submit a Victim Impact Statement. He also wanted to know Mr. Dlamini’s wishes with regard to Restorative Justice. Sentencing was put off until February 2020, but was delayed until March 2020 at which point COVID-19 hit and the courts shut down.

It has now been 1.5 years since a guilty verdict was rendered against Mr. Hynes, and sentencing has not yet taken place. In total, there have been at least 7 postponements and at this point, we don’t have a new date for sentencing.
This is unacceptable to Mr. Dlamini, his family, his community, and to all who seek justice in this case. The response, or lack thereof, and delayed timelines present to uphold the narrative that in Nova Scotia, Black lives do NOT matter.

We also wish to note that for the perpetrator of this crime, nothing has changed. He remains free and in the employ of PQ Properties Ltd. and has never experienced any consequences for the violent act he committed against Mr. Dlamini.

Victim Services says that Judge Atwood is waiting on information that he wishes to review before rendering a sentence, in order to reduce the likelihood of the sentence being appealed. While we appreciate the care and consideration that Judge Atwood is putting into this decision, we still maintain that 1.5 years is too long to wait for a sentence to be delivered. The trial itself did not last that long.

Therefore, we urge all parties to ensure that the next time a date is set for the sentencing of Shawn Wade Hynes in the shooting of Nhlanhla Dlamini, this date will be honoured and an appropriate sentence to the crime be delivered. We trust that enough time has elapsed for Judge Atwood to be able to study the decisions that will inform the delivery of the sentence. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Though the Dlamini family and other supporters would wish to attend the sentencing in person, from the perspective of the Dlamini family this is not imperative. They have communicated that they do not wish for COVID restrictions to be a reason why sentencing is once again delayed.

We are tired of waiting. Justice must be served, and must be seen to be served.

Sincerely,