Glencoe murder accused secure bail
Two men accused of murdering a Glencoe man have been granted bail by the Glencoe Magistrate's Court.
Two men accused of murdering a man whose body was discovered in a field in Glencoe have each been granted bail of R2,000.
Lloyd Kgotshane (39), chairperson of the uMzinyathi District Community Police Forum, and Sandile Thole (29), a hostel cleaner, appeared in the Glencoe Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The pair are charged with the murder of a man identified at this stage only as Mncube.
His body was found in a field near Celle Street, on the road to the Glencoe dumping site, on June 23.
Bail application succeeds
The deceased had allegedly been accused of stealing duvets from a Glencoe hostel managed by Kgotshane, where Thole is employed.
In applying for bail, both accused – who pleaded not guilty – told the court they were employed and were the sole breadwinners for their families. Kgotshane also told the court he suffers from diabetes.
Both men had been held in custody at Waterval Prison pending their bail application.
Thole is also facing unrelated assault charges.
Witness intimidation raised
The State opposed bail.
Investigating officer Detective Warrant Officer Sonja du Plooy told the court that eyewitnesses to the alleged assault, which led to the victim’s death, had already been intimidated. She further alleged that potential witnesses had been threatened by people acting on behalf of the accused.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Magistrate Khubeka granted bail of R2,000 to each accused. He commented that courts normally only grant bail in cases of serious offences such as this one under exceptional circumstances. He remarked that both having jobs is seen as exceptional, given the country’s high unemployment rate.
The court warned both men not to interfere with State witnesses or potential witnesses, cautioning that their bail would be revoked should they breach the conditions.
The matter was postponed to August 25 for further investigation.
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