No bail for hostel killing accused
An alleged Glebelands killer was denied bail by a Durban magistrate who said his release would cause anarchy in the hostel.
|||Durban - Magistrate Vanitha Armu denied an alleged Glebelands Hostel killer bail on Wednesday, saying it would cause anarchy in the hostel should he be released.
Bongani Mbhele is accused of being hired by the “Hlophe Gang” leader to kill William Mthembu, the leader of the rival “Mthembu Gang”, outside Shoprite in Montclair last month.
Mthembu’s friend, Thokozani Machi, was also killed in the shooting by three suspects.
Mbhele was arrested while the two others were still at large. Warrant Officer Vusimuzi Shabangu, of the Provincial Task Team, said one of the suspects, who had been at large, was arrested in court on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Sharon Moodley read out Shabangu’s affidavit where he alleged the two gangs were killing each other and ruling the hostel with guns.
Shabangu said there had been witnesses in the store and parking area who were willing to testify. Police watched the video footage, Shabangu said, and identified Mbhele as a suspect.
Mbhele faces two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
On Wednesday, the magistrate said there was a great deal of violence at the hostel, referring to the investigating officer’s testimony that there have been more than 40 deaths.
She found the State had a strong case and felt there were no exceptional circumstances proven as to why Mbhele should be released on bail.
During the application, Mbhele had denied going to the Shoprite in Montclair, saying he was at the hostel waiting for his girlfriend and also said he had an alternative address he could use if granted bail and would not interfere with State witnesses or the investigation.
Opposing this argument, Moodley referred to the charge of murder and two counts of attempted murder Mbhele had faced in the uMlazi Magistrate’s Court, where he was released on bail. She said she had the docket with her and that the matter had been struck off the roll because of undue delays in the investigation, but also said the uMlazi prosecutor confirmed these charges would be reinstated against him.
Moodley said the deceased was shot nine times in that matter.
“This shows the accused has a propensity for violence and also that he had a total disregard for the court as he did not abide by the bail conditions in that matter where he was ordered to relocate and not visit the hostel,” she argued.
The case was adjourned until next month.
Daily News
* E-mail your opinion to IOLletters@inl.co.za and we will consider it for publication or use our Facebook and Twitter pages to comment on our stories. See links below.