Three men accused of the murder of Mozambican national, Emmanuel Sithole (alias Manuel Jonas) were denied bail in the Alexandra Regional Court.
The trial of the three men for the alleged murder of Sithole in a street in Alexandra in April has been provisionally set for 27 May in the same court. Sizwe Mngomezulu and Sifundo Mzimela were denied bail by the court, while the third accused, Mthinto Bhengu did not apply for bail.
The fourth suspect, a teenager, is undergoing preliminary investigations under the Child Protection Act and is expected to appear together with his co-accused on 27 May.
The three accused were all remanded in custody to appear again on 27 May. In denying bail to Mngomezulu and Mzimela, the court said the accused failed to conclusively convince the court that they were not a flight risk and that they would not interfere with witnesses.
The court also said its bail ruling was based on the desire to maintain public peace and security. “There is a need to maintain law and order resulting from the recent violence caused by the xenophobic attacks,” the court said.
Speaking after the court hearing, Sithole’s aunt (who we will not name) said the family was happy with the outcome of this hearing, though it was still saddened by the ‘why and how’ of his murder.
She said none of the family members of the accused ever sent any messages of remorse to her family. “Our concern now is about how to look after Sithole’s children,” she said, adding the family would continue to attend court until the matter was finalised.
Do you think the court was fair in denying the accused bail?
Tell us by posting on our timeline, Alex News or tweet us @AlexNewsZA
Add Alex News on BBM for the latest hard hitting news in your community. PIN: 29CA3017
Four suspects charged with Sithole’s murder
Xenophobic killing: Emmanuel Sithole killers arrested
