Call for speedy trial as east murder accused appears
Suspect, Morgan Monyai (30) charged with murder and possession of drugs will remain in police custody after his case was postponed to September 10 for bail application.
Mamelodi residents joined a #NotInMyName protest outside the local magistrate’s court on Friday, demanding justice in the murder case of a 23-year-old mother killed in June.
Sibongile “Smomoza” Mataboge was believed to have been killed by Morgan Monyai (30), her boyfriend at the time, seemingly after a scuffle.
Senior public prosecutor at the Mamelodi magistrate’s court advocate Anne-Marie Bendeman said Monyai, who was charged with murder and possession of drugs, will remain in police custody.
His case was postponed to September 10 for bail application.
Mataboge’s (23) lifeless body was found on the floor of a room by the police on June 17.
The officers had to force their way into her partner’s house she was staying in.
The circumstances around her death remained unclear.
Protesters carrying placards protested outside the court calling for justice for the Mataboge family and pleaded with the justice system not to grant bail to the accused.
#NotInMyName Mamelodi convenor Lerato Tlou said they wanted to call on the justice system not to grant bail to the alleged perpetrator and also called on the courts to hand down the harshest sentence available.
“We also want the courts to deal with this case speedily so that the family can find closure and we will not rest until justice has been served,” said Tlou.
“It is worrying that femicide cases in South Africa are five times higher than anywhere in the world. We need South African men to introspect and stop being at war with women in this country,” she said.
Police spokesperson Captain Johannes Maheso said Monyai was arrested by the police who were following up on information about drugs at the suspect’s house.
ALSO READ: Chery South Africa signs with Wesbank
On arrival, they found him looking “very nervous, frightened and suspicious”.
“The officers had to force their way into the house to search his room and found drugs, money and the body of a deceased woman on the floor,” said Maheso.
He said that the woman was certified dead by paramedics who were part of the operation.
She was later identified by her parents.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
