Bail hearing in 5-year-old’s murder case postponed to end of May
The other two have already abandoned their bail applications.
The bail hearing of one of the accused in the murder of five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane has been postponed to May 28 and 29.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the hearing, which took place at the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court, involves Elias Maeko (36).
Maeko is one of three men arrested in connection with the tragic hijacking and shooting of young Ditebogo outside his home in Soshanguve on May 10, 2024.
The bail application process started on April 9 but was postponed.
During the proceedings, Investigating Officer Sergeant Sevhasa Mashudu testified in opposition to Maeko’s bail application, citing a disturbing pattern of violent crimes linked to the accused trio.
Mashudu detailed how Maeko, along with Ali Sithole (30) and Nido Gumbo (29), operated with a consistent modus operandi: ambushing victims at their homes, robbing them of vehicles and firearms, and in some instances using stolen weapons in further crimes.
The court heard that the group allegedly committed several armed robberies between 2023 and 2024. These include the theft of Isuzu vehicles in Marikana and Hebron, and the robbery of a police officer at the Loate Police Station in December 2023, where they reportedly took his service firearm.
Mashudu told the court that Gumbo is a Mozambican national who entered South Africa unlawfully.
All three suspects are residents of Soshanguve South and face charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Sithole and Gumbo have already abandoned their bail applications, while Maeko continues to seek release.
The prosecution strongly opposed bail, highlighting the danger the accused poses to communities, including Mabopane, Akasia, and Rustenburg, which have reportedly been targeted in a wave of violent hijackings.
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