An experienced magistrate who presided over a double murder case believed to be linked to a Road Accident Fund (RAF) pay-out has recused himself from the matter.

Magistrate Robert Mokone stunned a packed Mhala Magistrate’s Court in Thulamahashe on Monday, November 24, when he announced his decision to step down.

Mokone had been expected to deliver judgment in the bail application of Sydwell ‘Tsepu-tsepu’ Khoza, a prominent businessman from Buyisonto near Bushbuckridge.

“This court excuses itself from this matter. Another presiding officer will take it over,” he said, without providing reasons.

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Lowvelder has, however, reliably learnt that Mokone summoned the state prosecutor, Asande Siduku, and the defence lawyer, Advocate Vusi Segodi, to his chambers.

He allegedly informed them that he had been threatened and no longer felt safe continuing with the proceedings.

Sources close to the case indicated that the recusal means the bail application will likely have to start afresh.

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The National Prosecuting Authority’s Mpumalanga spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, confirmed this.

The matter was subsequently postponed to today, November 27, for a new presiding officer to be appointed.

Khoza is accused of hiring people to kill Xihlamariso Sambo and Kenneth Nonwell Nkuna at the beginning of 2025.

He allegedly convinced the victims that he was handling their RAF claims and had the pay-out deposited into his own account. The killings were allegedly intended to ‘tie up loose ends.’

He was arrested in Tzaneen, Limpopo, on October 22 in a joint operation involving the Limpopo Tracking Team and the Ehlanzeni Murder and Robbery Unit.

Another man, Present Sibuyi (31), is serving a 25-year sentence after pleading guilty to the murders in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in August.