MATOME Jonas Dikgale, who stands accused of the attempted murder of his wife, Nthabiseng Dikgale, appeared in a jam-packed Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on October 2 to formally apply for bail.
Dikgale is facing the charge after reportedly attempting to strangle his estranged wife in her home on September 27.
A further charge of contravening a protection order against him forms part of the case.
Dikgale gave his application in the form of a written and signed affidavit read by his defence attorney.
In his application, he indicates that he should not be considered a flight risk due to his business ventures as owner of a company where he employs 80 people.
The Meyersdal resident claims he would lose too much if he were to flee the country.
He also informed the court of his permanent residence and a secondary home he owns, where his mother currently resides.
In his application, the accused indicated that he is not guilty and that he believes incarcerating him would be in conflict with his right to freedom.
Further he indicated that he has no outstanding warrants or previous convictions and understands the ramifications if he were to be untruthful in revealing this to the court.
Dikgale appealed that bail be set at R5 000 for his release.
Investigating officer testifies
The State called a witness, investigating officer Det Sgt Molefi Phadu, to testify on why bail should not be granted to Dikgale.
Phadu testified on statements given to him about what occurred on September 27.
According to Phadu, the accused entered the estate where the victim lives by slipping in through the gate when a resident opened the gate to drive her car through.
Security was notified, but they were reportedly unable to find the suspect.
According to a statement given to Phadu by the domestic worker working for the victim, the accused was waiting outside the back door when she went to go hang up washing.
Phadu read that the accused entered the premises and the worker and children of the victim went to call the security.
The security, according to Phadu at least three officers, reportedly found the accused in the process of strangling the victim and managed to remove and restrain him.
Phadu indicated that he believes if they did not stop the accused he would have murdered the victim.
Victim in high care
The victim reportedly suffered injuries to her neck and stomach, as well as lacerations to her thigh.
By the time of the court appearance the victim had been moved from the ICU to high care.
In his testimony, Phadu indicated contrary to the accused’s affidavit there is a conviction against the accused for contravening the Traffic Act.
Further, the police have knowledge of six other cases brought against the accused that were withdrawn, all, according to Phadu, of a violent nature.
Three of these cases were brought against the accused by his wife.
Phadu was unable to answer several questions posed to him to which he indicated that he has only had one day to investigate the matter, being in court for the other days.
The matter was postponed to allow him more time to investigate the matter further, after which the state will continue their questioning as well as allowing the cross examination.
Dikgale will appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court again on October 8.
His appearance falls after the printing deadline of the RECORD. For information on what occurred in court on October 8, please visit our website (www.albertonrecord.co.za) or keep an eye out for next week’s paper.
