Elvis Ramosebudi was granted R3 000 bail in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on 8 May. Ramosebudi (33), is accused of plotting to assassinate President Jacob Zuma, along with other prominent South Africans. He is charged with incitement to commit murder.
Going through the evidence presented in court by the State and defence during the bail application proceedings, Magistrate Vincent Ratshibvumo said the information presented, painted a picture of an unemployed young man, desperate for money.
Ratshibvumo said nothing in the accused’s bail application suggests that he is capable of carrying out his threats. He also said the case against the accused is strong and not easy to dispute. Ratshibvumo also pointed out that evidence against the accused comprises of four letters which he sent out, seeking funding for his alleged plot to kill the president, Gupta brothers and others.
The magistrate also highlighted how the accused jumped from one ideological position to the other. “After failing to get funding for his anti-State capture plot, he wrote to Ajay Gupta, seeking money to allegedly kill Thuli Madonsela and others,” said Ratshibvumo, adding that the accused offered to kill the Guptas and also to kill for them (the Guptas).
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The magistrate also said the accused’s presentation of his plot plans was very immature. He highlighted that the accused wrote his first plot letter in October last year but didn’t recruit any snipers. He questioned if perhaps this was a 419 scam, where the accused promised to do what he could not deliver for money.
Magistrate Ratshibvumo postponed the case to 6 July. The accused’s bail conditions stipulate that he has to report at his local police station three times a week and that he should not approach any witnesses.
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