Bail for Mpumalanga cop who allegedly stole R5 rifle linked to taxi boss murder
A Kinross taxi association is unhappy that a police constable alleged to have defeated the ends of justice was released on bail.
The Evander Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga today released Constable Gert Lebitsi on R4 000 bail after his arrest on charges of stealing an R5 rifle and defeating the ends of justice.
Ridge Times reports that the rifle was allegedly stolen from a crime scene linked to the murder of Kinross taxi boss, Fannie Khumalo.
Members of the Vukanini Taxi Association have expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s decision to grant Lebitsi bail.
On Tuesday, Ridge Times reported that the Secunda Murder and Robbery Unit arrested Lebitsi on September 11 and, through an affidavit read by his lawyer, Lebitsi told the court that he intended to plead not guilty to all charges.
He recounted that on the night of September 10, a group of men claiming to be police officers arrived at his house in the middle of the night. Because they were not in uniform and it was late, he refused to open the door and instead called the eMbalenhle Police Station.
Officers were dispatched, and when they arrived, he opened the door. The group then requested to search his home for a firearm. He allowed the search, but no weapon was found.
Lebitsi claimed the officers had no search warrant, yet they handcuffed him, drove him to Witbank, and allegedly assaulted and electrocuted him while demanding to know the whereabouts of the firearm.
He further alleged that he was detained without a case being opened until September 11, when he was taken to eMbalenhle Police Station and later transferred to Trichardt Police Station.
He stated that despite being injured, the officers denied him hospital treatment until his attorney intervened.
On September 15, he appeared in court without formal charges, after which an investigating officer allegedly approached his lawyer to indicate the intention to charge him.
He was then formally charged with theft and defeating the ends of justice.
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