After six weeks of arrests, translation issues, and numerous postponements, the bail application of Reinhardt Steyn, Chriswell Dumisani Masilela, and Dumisani Luthuli has been postponed again.

The men appeared in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, and Magistrate Solomon Gololo postponed the matter to tomorrow for a bail judgment due to time constraints.

The alleged crime

They are being accused of kidnapping, assaulting and killing, as well as damaging property and setting Thembeni Mnguni (29) as well as Wanda Mahlangu (21) alight.

Mnguni and Mahlangu were being accused of stealing livestock in Elandslaagte.

Scenes from the courtroom

Prosecutor advocate Noma Vilakazi argued that the court must rely on Captain Detective Sipho Khumalo’s testimony rather than the docket summary provided to defence attorneys Katlego Dolamo and advocate Werner Jungbluth.

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Katlego Dolamo delivering his final remarks in the bail hearing of Reinhardt Steyn, Chriswell Dumisani Masilela, and Dumisani Luthuli, who are accused of murdering Thembeni Mnguni (29) and Wanda Mahlangu (21).

♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver – MiddelburgObserver

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Advocate Werner Jungbluth represents Reinhardt Steyn, who is accused of murder. Steyn, along with Chriswell Dumisani Masilela and Dumisani Luthuli, is charged with the murders of Thembeni Mnguni (29) and Wanda Mahlangu (21) in August. The men are applying for bail, but the matter has been postponed again.

♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver – MiddelburgObserver

She stated that without Luthuli’s pointing out, the state would not have discovered the remains of the deceased. She further argued that no exceptional circumstances had been presented to justify releasing the men on bail, adding that their release could jeopardise the case and that they posed a potential risk to themselves due to their confessions and the pointing out.

Jungbluth countered that there was no evidence to suggest the accused would violate bail conditions. He concluded by saying the court should not be swayed by public opinion, which may not understand the purpose of bail.

Dolamo argued that the seriousness of the case should not prevent the accused, who are employed and do not reside in the community where the crime took place, from being granted bail.