No bail for pastors murder accused

Tears and cheers filled Glencoe Magistrates Court on May 5 after bail was denied for the five men accused of brutally murdering Pastor Hamilton Zulu.
During the case, emotions ran high as Detective Warrant Officer Maharaj gave a blow-by-blow account of the pastor’s disappearance and death.
In vivid detail, Detective Maharaj explained ‘how on the morning of March 17, Pastor Zulu left home to sell perfumes but never returned’.
“He drove off in a Toyota and picked up two hitchhikers on Victoria Street.
“Two other young hitchhikers were also seated in his vehicle. One of the hitchhikers was identified as Jabulani Keswa. Upon driving off towards Nquthu, the accused dropped their pretence of being hitchhikers and viciously stabbed Jabulani, after pointing a firearm at Pastor Zulu,” Detective Maharaj explained.
“After stabbing Jabulani in the head, throat and chest, they ordered Pastor Zulu to stop the car.
“Upon doing so, one of the murderers took over the driving, while the other two threw Jabulani out onto the grass, assuming he was dead.
“They drove off but Jabulani survived and crawled to the middle of the road where he was helped by another motorist who took him to Dundee Hospital, where he recovered and later opened up a case,” Detective Maharaj added.
Days after the ordeal, Pastors Zulu’s vehicle was recovered in the Nyanyandu area, which set the events in motion leading to the eventual arrests of the five accused.
Detective Maharaj provided evidence that accused number one, Vusimuzi Mbhele, has previous convictions, accused number two, Nala Dlamini, has no fixed assets and might flee owing to the seriousness of the charges presented against him.
One of the charges is that of the armed robbery of Jabulani Keswa, after he was positively identified in an identity parade. Detective Maharaj also provided evidence that accused numbers three and four, who are minors, are a flight risk as they have no fixed residence and accused number five, Sibusiso Mthethwa, is also a flight risk as he had never provided proof of identity.
Though the evidence, coupled with previous convictions, was damning, Defence Attorney Biyela contended that without evidence it was just speculation. He further contended that Vusimuzi Mbhele had previous convictions but never failed to attend those cases, Nala Dlamini handed himself over and although the witnesses might be known to him, they were never pointed out.
Accused number four was only linked due to perfumes being found in his room and without any explanation, the likelihood of him possessing them is minimal.
“Sibusiso Mthethwa was not arrested by Detective Maharaj, and, as a result, cannot be in the position to explain circumstances surrounding the arrest,” Biyela exclaimed. He concluded with a plea for bail to be granted,
Prosecutor Kikia, argued against this, stating that despite the fact of good attendance, the crimes which Vusimuzi Mbhele committed were violent and the manner in which this offence was committed was inhumane and merciless.
She also argued that, “Nala Dlamini was positively identified in an identity parade by the man he savagely stabbed and left for dead.
“What guarantee can the court give that he won’t finish what he started”.
Prosecutor Kikia highlighted that accused number three pointed out the body of Pastor Zulu. “His personal knowledge, and personal association in this caseis heinous,” she said.
She also added that the fact that no explanation was given regarding the perfumes leads the court to believe that after mercilessly slaying Pastor Zulu, they split the bounty.
Her concluding statement stated, “the deceased is no more. In every pew sits somebody that cared for him but nothing can bring him back as a result the state asks that no bail be granted,” brought tears and uncontrolled emotions to the members of the congregation.
After deliberating, Judge Cassim ordered that no bail be granted.
The news brought songs of praise and shouts of joy but was little consolation to the grieving family.