The case of the three men accused of the brutal stabbing and stoning to death of Mozambican national, Emmanuel Sithole (also known as Manuel Jonas) in a street in Alexandra has been postponed to 18 May.
This is to allow for further bail applications by two of the three accused, Sizwe Mngomezulu and Sifundo Mzimela, who have requested the court to grant them R2 000 bail each. The third accused, the man suspected to have been the killer, Mthinto Bhengu has not applied for bail.
The court has since established that the fourth accused in the case is a minor aged 17 and cannot be named. He was, however, named and pictured in previous news reports before his status as a minor become known. His case will be heard separately in a preliminary enquiry to check on his circumstances which will then determine how his case is handled under the Child Protection Act.
He however remains in custody in a place of safety pending the enquiry. The case of the other accused, Bhengu, Mngomezulu and Mzimela has been upgraded to the Regional Court.
Mngomezulu and Mzimela, both 21, are represented by Matshidza Attorneys who have since filed affidavits for both. Mngomezulu said he went to school in Alexandra, starting at Ekukhanyisweni Primary School and later moving to Realogile High School and earns an income of R1 000 from washing cars.
His attorneys have indicated he may agree to a case of robbery with aggravating circumstances and not murder; while Mzimela, who comes from Nkandla where he was educated, has been living in Alex’s 3rd Avenue since 2012 and survives on odd jobs.
He is expected to agree to a case of assault as opposed to murder. Both accused have committed themselves to never interfere with witnesses and have declared that they do not have passports and have no intention of visiting any foreign country.
Four suspects charged with Sithole’s murder
Xenophobic killing: Emmanuel Sithole killers arrested
