ANC MP accused of killing wife granted R50k bail, ordered to hand over passport

The High Court in North West has granted ANC Member of Parliament (MP) Sibusiso Kula, who stands accused of killing his wife, R50,000 bail.

Kula was released on Tuesday after his leave to appeal application was previously struck off the roll by the high court.

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The Orkney Magistrate’s Court had initially denied Kula’s bail application following his arrest in January this year.

The 34-year-old faces a murder charge after Jennifer Motlhomi’s body was found on 27 November 2022, in what seemed like a robbery.

Bail conditions

On Tuesday, Kula was ordered by Judge Andre Peterson to surrender his passports.

The accused also has to report at the nearest police station twice a day and provide the investigating officer with his work itinerary.

“[Kula must] report to investigating officer if he must move outside his residential jurisdiction and have no direct or indirect contact with his children,” National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) North West spokesperson Henry Mamothame said.

“Advocate Benny Kalakgosi argued strongly for the state in persuading the court not to grant Kula bail, however, the judgement favoured the accused and the state noted and respect the decision.”

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Mamothame indicated that the state will now focus on building a solid case against Kula, pending the finalisation of the investigations in preparation for trial.

“An application has been submitted to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions [NDPP] in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, for the matter to be transferred to a higher court, owing to its serious nature.”

The suspect will return to court on 17 April.

Kula’s wife was found with a stab wound on her back, but the object that was used for her alleged murder has not been recovered.

The incident was reported by the medical facility where she was allegedly transported by Kula to receive medical attention.

The accused allegedly told the police that he was not present at his home when the incident occurred.

However, Kula was linked to the murder, and was charged by the NPA.