The 37-year-old accused, who has not yet pleaded to any of the charges, will remain in custody until his next appearance on June 28.
READ:
UPDATE: Mayor condemns murder of ANC stalwart (86)
UPDATE: Friend speaks highly of murdered Mpakanyane
Benoni Magistrate’s Court regional magistrate Mitzi Schutte postponed the bail application on June 23, to allow for fingerprint results to return.
“We want justice; whoever did this must pay,” said Bontle Mpokanyane, the daughter of Hermina.
Mpokanyane was found dead at her home in Dube Street, Wattville, on October 13, 2016.
In previous articles, the City Times quoted Ekurhuleni Central Cluster spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele as saying a tenant of Mpakanyane saw that the burglar bars of the window into Mpakanyane’s bedroom were tampered with; the tenant then went inside to see what was going on.
The ANC veteran was found with a piece of cloth in her mouth and a scarf tied around her head, covering the cloth.
Mpokanyane’s post-mortem revealed she was suffocated to death and raped.
“The suspect was arrested on May 18 by the investigating officer,” said Sekele.
“He was found at Tambo Memorial Hospital after being knocked by a vehicle.”
Zwane made his fifth appearance in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on June 23, while ANC supporters stood outside the court displaying placards against the murder.
Members of iThemba Rape and Trauma Centre were also present at the court hearing.
During the hearing, it was revealed that Zwane allegedly stole a stove and cellphone from the victim’s home and used the cellphone to make phone calls to four people.
The phone records were obtained by the investigating officer who then contacted the four dialled numbers.
All four people claimed they knew the accused, however, one of the dialled numbers belonging to an Actonville resident known as Mojola, informed the investigating officer that the accused gave him a cellphone as surety for a loan.
The accused paid off the loan and took the cellphone back.
It was also revealed in court there is no information indicating the suspect knew the deceased.
Also read:
Follow us on these platforms:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
