Mpho Msauli’s alleged killer back in court

Family and friends of late Mpho Msauli will today learn of the fate in her murder case as magistrate expected to give judgment on the bail application of the accused.

The matter was postponed again on Tuesday for further hearing on the matter.

Magistrate Mthimkhulu said the court needed to make proper findings on whether to grant the bail to the applicant.

This as she requested that the investigating officer who was not present in court avail himself on Wednesday.

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The Magistrate said the state did not give sufficient factors as to why the court should deny the bail application of the accused.

“It is not the state that is asking for the matter to be remanded, I need to find out certain things from the investigating officer before we can proceed on the merit of the matter,” the court heard, on Tuesday.

The accused suspect made his formal bail application on Tuesday, pleading his innocence.

In the written affidavit read in court by his attorney, the accused stated that on the said night of July 29, he was stopped by an unknown man while driving to Phiri where he was going to the mother of his child.

He continued detailing the events that led to the shootout indicating that he only became aware that the unknown passenger was in possession of a firearm when he was shooting at the group of ladies who were running in different directions. The passenger then instructed him to drive away.

The accused affidavit further revealed that the accused intended not to plead guilty and was not in agreement with the charges levelled against him.

Addressing the court, the state poked holes on the accused’s affidavit, revealing that the affidavit by the attorney was a contradiction.

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In its affidavit, the state revealed that the accused had, in fact, been driving in the company of his friend by the name of Siphelele.

The state further indicated its intention to oppose bail, citing the accused would disappear again.

The state also said that the accused had lied and opened a false case of hijacking and should be charged for lying under oath.

Speaking outside the court, uncle of the deceased, Nhlanhla Tshabalala said, “I think the case will go well as we wait to hear from the investigating officer to tell the court.

My fear is that he lied in his affidavit and lied to the police; he should not be given bail because he is lying to the court.

“He lied, saying the car was hijacked and even now, he is lying in his affidavit saying he doesn’t know the person,” he said.

The accused faces one count of murder.