Court denies bail for kidnapping accused
The Alexandra Magistrate’s Court has refused bail for David Ndala, accused in the kidnapping of Kabelo Dikobe, leaving him behind bars as the search for the missing man continues.
The Alexandra Magistrate’s Court has denied bail for David Ndala, accused in connection with the disappearance of Kabelo Dikobe, who has been missing for over a month.
Ndala appeared before magistrate Reiner Boshoff on Tuesday, where the state argued against his release on bail. Prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri told the court that Ndala was the last person seen with Dikobe before he vanished, and eyewitnesses are prepared to corroborate this. “The applicant, on March 29, went to a place called Joe’s Corner Tavern, where he found the victim. He drove his vehicle, together with three other possible suspects, and kidnapped [Dikobe].”
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He added that witnesses saw Ndala taking Dikobe into his vehicle, after which he disappeared and has not been seen since. “It is now almost a month since the victim disappeared. The accused has not given any explanation, and he was the last person to be seen with the victim.”
Ndala’s defence lawyer argued that the case rests on slim evidence, despite the prosecutor’s claims of witnesses. Furthermore, he emphasised that Ndala voluntarily handed himself over to police, showing he is not a flight risk. “He handed himself, hence the detention up until today. So, he is not a flight risk. There is nowhere where the state has adduced evidence that suggests that he is likely to flee from his trial.” He added that Ndala has a verified fixed residence and no pending cases.
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In his ruling, Boshoff underscored the need to balance the rights of the accused with those of the community, and he concluded that bail could not be granted at this stage. “The victim is still gone. So, in other words, if you think of the crime, it is still not completed. There might be a murder. We are not helped in any way by the defence here. So, quite clearly, the interest of justice does not permit your release on bail, against this there is nothing.”
Ndala will remain in custody until his next appearance on May 28.
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