After spending 12 days in custody following the alleged murder of her boyfriend, Xichavo Ntsanwisi, Ntokoto Mabasa has won her bid to be released on bail.

She appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where the magistrate ruled that the interests of justice warranted her release.

Read more: Court postpones Cat Matlala’s bail application to next week

Although the investigating officer acknowledged the seriousness of the charge, his affidavit did not oppose Mabasa’s release; he noted that he would leave the matter of bail to the court’s discretion. State prosecutor Advocate Nduduzo Jiyane also did not object to Mabasa’s release.

In her ruling, the magistrate noted that Mabasa has no prior convictions, no pending cases, and no passport, and is not considered a flight risk. “She cannot interfere with evidence or investigations in the matter,” the magistrate said.

“This court finds, on a balance of probabilities, that the applicant has succeeded in proving that the interests of justice warrant her release on bail,” the magistrate ruled.

Mabasa was granted bail of R10 000, as proposed by Jiyane, despite defence lawyer Maanea Ramashia’s request for a lower amount of R1 000. As part of her bail conditions, Mabasa must report to the Midrand Police Station once a week.

Jiyane also requested that the matter be transferred to Regional Court 2 for further investigation. The magistrate granted the request.

Mabasa will remain in custody until the bail amount is paid. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 25.

Meanwhile, outside the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court, scores of Ntsanwisi family supporters gathered in protest, demanding the continued detention of Mabasa.

Also read: Court hears bail arguments for murder-accused Molefe

The scale of the protest raised security concerns, prompting police reinforcements both at the court entrance and inside the courtroom itself.

Speaking after the ruling, Jacob Ntsanwisi, brother of the deceased, expressed disappointment over Mabasa’s granting of bail. However, he stressed that the bail decision did not mean the state’s case is weak, a point also acknowledged by the magistrate during proceedings.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Jacob Ntsanwisi, brother of the late Xichavo Ntsanwisi, says that while the accused, Ntokoto Mabasa, has been granted bail of R10,000, the magistrate made it clear that the state’s case against her is strong. Ntsanwisi was briefing scores of supporters who were protesting outside the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court during the court proceedings. #Alex #Crime ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

“The state has a strong case against the accused,” Ntsanwisi said.

“When Xichavo got [allegedly] stabbed, it was only the two of them in the house. There will be a trial where the state will interrogate the version of the accused about what happened that night,” he said.

Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates!