[Update: October 27 12:50]
Ndodenye Alfred Maphutha has abandoned his bail application today, October 27.
According to senior prosecutor Yusuf Baba, the defendant is set to appear again in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court next year on January 23 to allow further investigations.
[Update: October 26 11:50]
Ndodenye Alfred Maphutha is set to have his day again tomorrow, October 27 in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
Maphutha appeared briefly in court on October 18 but the matter was postponed to give him time to seek legal counsel.
The famous ‘Joburg arsonist’ currently faces one count of murder, 24 of arson and 24 of housebreaking.
[Initial: October 20 13:30]
Residents will have to wait another week for the accused ‘Joburg arsonist’ to appear again in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
Ndodenye Alfred Maphutha appeared briefly in court on October 18, five days after his first appearance, and the matter was postponed to October 27 for the same reason– to give the accused time to seek legal counsel.
The 36-year-old faces one count of murder, 24 of arson and 24 of housebreaking, said National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwana.
Maphutha has not pleaded yet.
These charges relate to fires set in Houghton, Melrose, Hyde Park, Bryanston and Dunkeld in the past two years. He is also linked to murder and business burglary, police said.
Also read: WATCH: ‘Joburg arsonist’ accused to appear at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court
Senior prosecutor Yusuf Baba believed more charges could be added.
Maphutha was arrested in Emmarentia on October 11 and according to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, he was Joburg’s most-wanted suspected arsonist.
“The SVC team operationalised information received from National Crime Intelligence and mobilised SAPS Johannesburg K9, Community Active Protection Security (CAP), and Fidelity Specialised Services for backup. At about 18:00, the suspect was located walking on foot in Emmarentia and he was apprehended,” said Muridili.
CAP added that the team seized a cellphone and knife from the suspect and arrested him with no shots fired and no injuries to report.
Referring to the crime incidents, Muridil said the accused would break in at affluent houses and after stealing property, he would set the houses alight. In one of the incidents, an elderly man lost his life due to smoke inhalation as reported in the Gazette in the online article Houghton man dies after alleged arson and assault [Published June 5].
The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng Lieutenant General Elias Mawela appreciated all the law-abiding citizens of Gauteng for their tip-offs following the publishing of the then-wanted suspect’s photo in early September.
“Thank you to those that took the time to call in and share valuable information that has now led to this arrest. It goes to show that with the community on our side, we can do more to fight crime,” said Mawela who commended the team that effected the arrest.
ALSO READ: Breakthrough as Johannesburg northern suburbs’ suspected arsonist arrested
