Absent policeman leaves farm attack suspects in jail
Two Mpumalanga men accused of terrorising farmers around the Malalane area could not reapply for bail because the police officer investigating their case was not available in court.
TONGA – Two Mpumalanga men accused of terrorising farmers around the Malalane area could not reapply for bail because the police officer investigating their case was not available in court.
The accused, Mr Siyabonga Masilela and Mr Ndumiso Mahlalela, both from Tonga, pleaded not guilty to nine charges each when they appeared in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Their charges included murder, attempted murder, housebreaking, theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of unlicensed firearms.
“I am remanding the two of you guys to appear next week for your bail application because the investigating officer is committed to other cases,” said the judge, Mr Sibonisiwe Sibuyi.
Prosecutor René Coetzee told the court that the two are facing nine charges each, with dockets opened at different police stations.
The court heard that although the two faced many charges, they were both first-time offenders.
Masilela was arrested on February 13 while Mahlalela was arrested on March 13.
Sibuyi postponed the the bail application to May 28.
