The 35-year-old man accused of killing local businessman Mbopha Mashigo made his second appearance in the Alex Magistrates’ Court on 22 January.
He has been charged with premeditated murder and is accused of firing a single shot that hit Mbopha in the left side of the head, instantly killing him.
Read: VIDEO: Mbopha Mashigo’s murder accused appears in court
The small courtroom was filled to capacity during the suspect’s brief appearance, as members of the community came to support the family of the slain businessman.
State prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri asked magistrate Renier Boshoff to rule that the man is remanded in police custody after his lawyer did not pitch up for the bail hearing. “Furthermore, the state feels that it is in the best interest of the suspect to remain in custody because his safety outside cannot be guaranteed.”
The suspect’s lawyer, who chose to remain anonymous, said outside court in the office of the prosecutor, that he was looking to assign another lawyer to the case.
Read: JUST IN: Mbopha’s alleged killer cuffed
The suspect is due to appear in court again on 26 January for a formal bail application.
In the previous article a source, who was believed to be related to the Mashigo family, said that the suspect was a distant relative. Speaking outside court, Mbopha’s cousin, Daisy Mashigo said this was not correct and asked the newspaper to correct it. “We do not know this person. We are not related to this man,” she said.
The suspect’s mother echoed Mashigo’s words and said there was a misunderstanding. “We do relate to another Mashigo family, but not this one. We do not know them,” said the elderly woman.
