Kenneth Chibuzor, one of three men accused of offences relating to a smartwatch allegedly belonging to murdered Kempton Park runner Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo, will remain in custody after abandoning his bail application.

Chibuzor appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on November 2 for his bail proceedings.

During the proceedings, the state prosecutor indicated that Chibuzor had abandoned his bail application.

The matter was postponed to December 9 for further investigations. The proceedings are expected to be linked to the court appearance of his two co-accused, who are currently out on bail.

Also read: Accused in murdered runner’s smartwatch case faces additional charges

Background to the case

Chibuzor, Stephen Mohlakwane Sekhukhune and Danial Anthony Moat initially appeared in court on October 12 in connection with a Garmin Venu smartwatch allegedly belonging to Moselakgomo, whose body was found in Rhodesfield in September.

The state previously outlined allegations that the smartwatch changed hands shortly after Moselakgomo was last seen alive.

According to the allegations presented in court, Chibuzor, who allegedly owned or managed a second-hand goods shop in Jubilee Street, Kempton Park, acquired the watch for R900 from an unidentified person.

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

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

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

At a subsequent court appearance on October 27, Chibuzor was formally charged with alleged contraventions of Sections 49(14) and 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, as well as fraud.

Also read: Elizabeth Moselakgomo smartwatch case postponed to October 27

His case had previously been separated from that of his co-accused while investigators verified his immigration status.

Sekhukhune and Moat were each granted R10 000 bail during their initial court appearance, subject to conditions including reporting to the Kempton Park police station twice a week.

The matter is expected back in court on December 9.

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