Evander Court denies bail to Elias Mlhanga in murder case
Although Mr Mhlanga testified that he is not a member of a syndicate, the taxi association stated in their petition that their members will not be safe if Mr Mhlanga is granted bail and that the community will be in danger of taxi violence.
Evander Regional Court denied Mr Elias Mhlanga (52) bail, while his co-accused, Mr Vuyisile Buthelezi (37), refused to apply for bail after they appeared before the court on Monday, January 10.
Mhlanga allegedly is the mastermind in Mr Fannie Khumalo’s assassination in November last year.
It was reported that the deceased was preparing his minibuses to transport commuters when four armed men shot him in the chest on the morning of November 20.
Hundreds of taxi operators gathered outside Evander Court on Monday to demand that all the accused in Mr Khumalo’s murder not get bail.
Three suspects, that include Mhlanga and Buthelezi, were arrested last month and charged with murder.
Ms Adri Roos, Regional Court Magistrate, denied bail after hearing the witnesses testify in court, including the investigating officer, and also receiving petitions from the community of eMbalenhle and Vukanini Taxi Association (Vukta) members in which they threatened to cause instability in the township and disturb public peace if Mr Mhlanga was to be released.
Although Mr Mhlanga testified that he is not a member of a syndicate, the taxi association stated in their petition that their members will not be safe if Mr Mhlanga is granted bail and that the community will be in danger of taxi violence.
Mr Mhlanga was expelled as a member of Vukta last year.
Mr Buthelezi refused to apply for bail.
Although his attorney from Gauteng had initially applied for a bail application hearing to be held on Monday, January 10, the attorney told the court on Monday that his client doesn’t want bail.
The case against Mr Mhlanga, Mr Buthelezi and a third suspect who has turned state witness, the case was postponed to Tuesday, January 25.
