Accused number 2 in the Lusanda Mathabela murder trial has started presenting his head of arguments in his formal bail application in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court.

Lungelo Sithole appeared in the court yesterday, Wednesday, February 4, and was remanded in custody for further hearing tomorrow, Friday, February 6.

During his appearance yesterday, Sithole told the fully packed court that his intention is to plead not guilty.

“I am intending to plead not guilty in this matter. My mother is deceased and I’m only left with my father. She passed away in 2016 when I was only nine years old. I started school at Kaapmuiden Primary School and completed my matric at Valencia Secondary School. My grandmother was responsible for my basic needs and I have never stayed with my father,” Sithole said.

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He said the deceased was dating his friend, Katlego Mokoena, who is also his co-accused in the matter.

Sithole claimed that he did not have other relatives except those who he mentioned in court, and that he owns a passport which had already been impounded by the police.

“I don’t have relatives outside the country and I have never been outside the country. I applied for my passport because we were planning a trip to Mozambique, but we did not go,” said Sithole.

He said he used to be a close friend of his co-accused and that they lived like brothers, but that they have since fallen out of friendship.

Sithole said he would adhere to all conditions of the court should he be granted bail and that he could afford R4 000 bail.

I don’t have any intentions to destroy or conceal any evidence because I don’t have any access to the residence where the incident occurred, and even if I did I was not going to do that. My release on bail will not disturb any public peace. If I am released on bail I shall move to Protea Glen in Gauteng,” Sithole told the court.

Mokoena’s bail application is expected to be heard on February 26.

Sithole and Mokoena, both 18, allegedly stabbed Mathabela (19) to death in a house in Mataffin on November 3, 2025.