BETHAL – The two men suspected of gunning down Mr Bongani Manana in Bethal on Christmas will remain behind bars while waiting for their next court appearance on 2 January.
Messrs Sizwe Benedict Methula (28) and Mzwandike Matthews (34) were arrested on Thursday, 26 December for the murder of Manana and appeared in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court today, 27 December.
Mr Manana was a prominent businessman in Bethal. He owned Upper Echelon in Du Plooy Street and the Bethal Dam.
According to Const Thomas Mogadime, reports suggest that Mr Manana was on his way to open up Upper Echelon at about 11pm on 25 December when an argument allegedly errupted between Mr Manana and some patrons.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/152740/businessman-gunned-bethal-suspected-killers-custody/
Mr Manana was shot in the street.
He was wounded in the chest.
Mr Manana was rush to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The gunmen were arrested the next day and their firearms seized.
Initial police reports indicated the perpetrators were both 27 years old, but this information has since been revised.
The motive for the killing is yet unknown at this stage.
The provincial police commissioner of Mpumalanga, Lieut-Genl Mondli Zuma has since warned lawful owners of firearms to be more responsible and to refrain from using them to settle scores.
Both accused have no previous convictions or pending cases and the matter was postponed to Thursday 2 January for bail application and both accused remanded in custody.
