UP student murder: State witness and cross examination of accused expected
This is the latest development in the murder case of a 23-year-old Tuks student.
An investigating officer in the murder case of a 23-year-old University of Pretoria student is expected to give evidence and undergo cross examination on Wednesday at the Pretoria magistrate’s court.
The investigating officer’s cross examination will be followed by one of the accused, William Seema Makgoba, applying for bail after he was charged with the murder of Thapelo Menwe, an internal audit honours degree student.
Menwe was killed and robbed in Grosvenor Street, Hatfield, as he walked home from a student bar in the early hours of September 10.
Makgoba and his co-accused Bongani Sibiya, who abandoned bail and signed a confession, appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon.
The NPA opposed bail in the case and submitted that the investigating officer would be taking the stand in the witness box to give evidence that would ensure Makgoba was denied bail.
The NPA argued that both accused acted in common purpose, suggesting that both knew of the crimes committed.
ALSO READ: University of Pretoria murder: ‘36 minutes of CPR could not bring him back’ – security officer
Makgoba, represented by attorney Nakedi Mamogobo, pleaded not guilty in the case and previously told the court he had nothing to do with the murder.
Mamogobo told the court that on the day of the murder his client was merely a Bolt driver and provided transport services to his co-accused Sibiya without knowing his intentions.
Makgoba has pinned his hopes on proving his “innocence” in the trial.
Mamogobo said his client would also give his testimony on Wednesday.
The NPA and the defence accepted an online petition by change.org signed by more than 22 000 people calling for the court to oppose bail.
The accused remain in police custody.
The case was postponed to October 26 due to time constraints caused by several bail applications processed at court 16.
ALSO READ: UP student murder: Bail hearing for one of the accused will resume today
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