Ermelo murder: Accused’s lawyer opposes photo release, citing safety threats
Highvelder applied for permission to take photos of the accused, but his lawyer opposed the request.
The accused in the murder case of Smangaliso Innocent Nkosi (25) appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court for the third time on December 1.
During his first appearance on November 17, Highvelder applied for permission to take photos of the accused, but his lawyer opposed the request.
During his second appearance, his lawyer stated to the court that by publishing his photo, it would put his life and his family’s in danger.
The case was postponed to December 1 for the outcome of the application and the bail application.
The media’s application was denied for the time being, but it was said that a later application might be considered.
ALSO READ: Man shot and killed at Ermelo filling station
Bail application was postponed to December 7.
The shooting occurred at a local filling station between 01:00 and 02:00 on November 12 and was captured on CCTV footage.
The assailant emerges and jogs towards the unsuspecting Nkosi who stands with a group of men. The attacker shoots Nkosi in the head at point-blank range and he collapses.
The suspect, seemingly unfazed, proceeds to shoot Nkosi multiple times as the bystanders scramble to get away. Afterwards, the assailant approaches the fallen victim, checking him briefly.
ALSO READ: Man hands himself over to police after shooting incident in Ermelo
He then appears to recover the spent cartridges and flees the scene.
The suspect handed himself over to the police in the presence of his lawyer on November 15.
