Kenneth Chibuzor, one of three men accused of offences relating to a smartwatch allegedly belonging to murdered Kempton Park runner Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo, appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on October 27.

During the proceedings, Chibuzor was formally charged with alleged contraventions of Sections 49(14) and 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, as well as fraud.

The matter was postponed to November 2 for a bail application after his legal representative requested additional time to consult with him.

Chibuzor remains in custody.

At his previous appearance on October 19, the court heard that his immigration status was still being verified.

The state alleged that Chibuzor had previously applied for asylum but subsequently withdrew the application.

Also read: Elizabeth Moselakgomo smartwatch case postponed to October 27

His case was also separated from that of his co-accused, Stephen Mohlakwane Sekhukhune and Danial Anthony Moat.

Background to the smartwatch case

The three men initially appeared in court on October 12 in connection with a Garmin Venu smartwatch allegedly belonging to Moselakgomo, whose body was discovered in Rhodesfield in September.

During those proceedings, the state outlined allegations concerning the acquisition and resale of the smartwatch shortly after Moselakgomo was last seen alive.

The court heard that Chibuzor, who allegedly owned or managed a second-hand goods shop in Jubilee Street, Kempton Park, acquired the smartwatch for R900 from an unidentified person.

He allegedly sold the watch to Sekhukhune, who registered it to his Gmail account on September 10, after Moselakgomo’s settings and profile data had allegedly been erased.

Sekhukhune allegedly sold the watch to Moat for R4 000. Moat subsequently advertised it on Facebook Marketplace and allegedly resold it for the same amount.

Also read: Three accused face theft charges over Elizabeth Moselakgomo’s smartwatch

The three men face charges including theft and money laundering in connection with the smartwatch. Chibuzor also faces charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Second-Hand Goods Act.

During the October 12 proceedings, Sekhukhune and Moat were each granted bail of R10 000, subject to conditions that included reporting to the Kempton Park police station twice a week.

Chibuzor remained in custody pending verification of his immigration documentation.

His next court appearance is scheduled for November 2.

The allegations against the accused have not been proven in court.