The 18-year-old Kgaugelo Sibuyi, accused of the kidnapping and murder of his 14-year-old cousin, Zinhle Dorothy Sekgoapa of Chochocho, was denied bail by KaBokweni Magistrate TL Maphophe on Tuesday. Sibuyi faces charges of kidnapping, extortion, murder and robbery.
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The investigating officer (IO), Const Joseph Mnisi testified in court that Sibuyi submitted statement to the police, reportedly confessing that he had planned the kidnapping because he wanted money from her aunt, who was allegedly mistreating him. He also confessed to police how he allegedly arranged for two of his friends, from Mbombela and Tekwane South, to abduct his cousin that day while he went to school. Mnisi revealed that the police even took him to these areas, but he did not indicate where his friends were.
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Sibuyi’s defence lawyer, S Mashele of Maseko Attorneys argued that his client did not make the confession out of his own will. “The police could have taken Sibuyi to any court to make the confession. It is my instruction that the statement was made after he had been tortured, threatened and a promise of bail was made. My client advised me that he would have loved for his lawyer and his mother to be present during the making of the confession, but that was not explained to him,” he said. Investigations are ongoing and the matter has been postponed to December 2.
