Evander Court denies bail to young man accused of murder
Community members in eMbalenhle welcomed the court’s decision after bail was denied to a murder suspect.
The Evander Magistrate’s Court denied bail on September 9 to a young man facing charges of murder. Manqoba Maphanga (20), accused of murdering 20-year-old Siyabonga Mthombeni in Ext 18, eMbalenhle, in December 2023, allegedly disappeared afterwards to evade arrest.
The Mthombeni family, who have consistently demanded justice for their son, previously accused the eMbalenhle SAPS of closing the case because they could not find the suspect.
They also alleged that Maphanga’s family hid him.
When testifying in court during Maphanga’s bail application, Mbalenhle detective Captain Fanny Sindane opposed Maphanga’s release on bail, telling the court that Maphanga was only handed to the police after his grandfather misled him into believing the case had been closed.
His grandmother then brought him to the authorities on August 18, who arrested him.
Sindane argued that Maphanga remained a flight risk because he had already evaded arrest for over a year, moving between Dundonald and Bushbuckridge.
He further testified that witnesses, some of whom are Maphanga’s friends, had allegedly been threatened. The State reinforced this position, pointing out that Maphanga evaded arrest for 18 months, which showed his intention to avoid trial.
Maphanga’s attorney disputed that his client was a flight risk, insisting he had handed himself over to police, an argument rejected by Sindane and the State.
A community petition opposing Maphanga’s release was accepted by the court, with residents stating they believed he was dangerous and a threat to their children. However, it rejected a petition submitted by the Mthombeni family because it was signed and commissioned by the police.
Since Maphanga’s arrest, eMbalenhle residents have consistently picketed outside the court during his appearances, demanding justice for Mthombeni.
Delivering his judgment, the magistrate said he had based his decision on the investigating officer’s testimony, the community petition about residents not wanting Maphanga in their midst and concerns for his safety if released on bail.
The court also noted that Maphanga had failed to explain how he would attend his case after providing an alternative address outside the Govan Mbeki municipal district.
Based on these issues, Maphanga was denied bail, and his case was postponed to September 17 for the regional court decision. The Mthombeni family and community members who picketed outside the court welcomed the decision.
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