Alleged killers of eMbalenhle taxi boss are heading to Delmas High Court
Sgt Malatsi testified that Buthelezi and Masondo should not be granted bail because they will continue with their mission to assassinate Vukanini taxi Association members.
A murder trial that shook the local taxi industry will be heard in the Delmas High Court on Monday, October 3.
Fannie Khumalo, a taxi boss from eMbalenhle, was gunned down at his home in Thistle Grove, Kinross on a Saturday morning in November last year.
He was preparing his minibuses to transport commuters when four armed men shot him seven times in the chest. He died on the spot.
Among the suspects who were arrested, is Elias Mhlanga, a taxi owner and Vukanini Taxi Association member whose membership had been terminated with immediate effect prior to the murder.
He is the alleged mastermind behind the murder.
Mhlanga was arrested in December next to the Kinross Police Station, while Vuyisile Buthelezi was arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, also in December.
A third arrested suspect turned state witness.
The court turned down Mhlanga’s bail application on January 10.
Buthelezi appeared in court on the same day, but at the time opted not to apply for bail.
The fourth suspect, Khulekani Masondo, was arrested in Gauteng in April.
He was shot in both legs during his arrest and was in the hospital for a while.
Buthelezi has since changed his mind and formally applied for bail on Tuesday, August 16.
He told the court he had been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) and requires treatment which he is not getting in the prison’s hospital.
However, Sgt Amos Malatsi, the investigating officer, refuted this claim, stating that Buthelezi was misleading the court.
Malatsi testified that he had visited the hospital and had a conversation with a nurse who was taking care of Buthelezi.
He said the nurse had informed him (Malatsi) that Buthelezi is not a TB patient, but he had been diagnosed with another illness for which he is receiving treatment.
This ailment was not disclosed in court.
The nurse wrote a letter in which she raised her concern about Buthelezi who wanted to force her into writing a letter to the court, claiming he has TB.
Masondo, who also applied for bail, testified that after the police had shot him in the legs, he is in no physical condition for prison.
He testified that his left leg was amputated in a hospital in Vosloorus and he is now using a wheelchair.
Masondo told the court neither Evander Hospital nor the correctional services’ hospital is providing him with the necessary treatment.
The state prosecutor, Emmanuel Moloto, told the court that the accused received a wheelchair and medicine for his amputated leg, and he is also receiving physical therapy for his right leg.
The court also hear that Masondo retaliated during his arrest, and was allegedly shooting at the police.
Sgt Malatsi testified that Buthelezi and Masondo should not be granted bail because they will continue with their mission to assassinate Vukanini taxi Association members.
Moloto said the pair has a long hit list of Vukta members.
Malatsi testified that while in custody, Buthelezi and Masondo plotted to kill the son of Vukta chairman, Fanyana Sibanyoni, in order to reach Sibanyoni.
Malatsi said the bail applications of Buthelezi and Masondo raise questions because the high court date has already been set for trial.
Moloto told the court that both accused are not good candidates for bail because of the lack of exceptional circumstances in their applications.
The court will give its verdict on the bail application of both accused on Thursday, August 25.
Vukanini Taxi Association and the community who wanted the court to deny both accused bail swamped the court gallery on Tuesday.
