Evander Court denies bail to alleged murderers of taxi boss
The magistrate said both applicants failed to present important or exceptional circumstances to prove that the state’s case was weak enough to lead to an acquittal in the high court.
Vuyisile Buthelezi and Khulekani Masondo have been denied bail by the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, August 25.
They are two of the three accused in the killing of a local taxi boss, Fannie Khumalo, last November.
Khumalo was gunned down at his home in Thistle Grove, Kinross while preparing his minibuses to transport commuters.
It is alleged that four armed men shot him seven times in the chest and he died on the spot.
Elias Mhlanga, a taxi boss and Vukanini Taxi Association member was arrested in December next to the Kinross Police Station, while 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, while Buthelezi appeared in court on the same day, but at the time, opted not to apply for bail.
The fourth suspect, Masondo, was arrested in Gauteng in April.
He was shot in both legs during his arrest and was in the hospital for a while.
Both Masondo and Buthelezi were described as flight risks by the court.
Buthelezi has since changed his mind and formally applied for bail on Tuesday, August 16. Both Buthelezi and Masondo pleaded not guilty to all charges during their bail hearing.
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/275045/taxi-boss-gunned-down-at-kinross/
When delivering her judgement on the bail application of Buthelezi and Masondo, Magistrate Kabelo Mashakeng said the court took into consideration the high court date (Monday, October 3) and that the lives of the accused may be in danger if they are released on bail.
The magistrate said both applicants failed to present important or exceptional circumstances to prove that the state’s case was weak enough to lead to an acquittal in the high court.
The evidence before the court that the son of the taxi association chairman, Fanyana Sibanyoni, is in danger in the hands of both Buthelezi and Masondo, also formed part of the state’s submissions.
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/277957/alleged-taxi-hitman-case-postponed/
The magistrate also said that the state has a strong case against both accused and if they can be convicted they will face a long jail sentence, which can motivate them to escape their trial.
Mashakeng said the partitions of the Vukanini Taxi Association and the community submitted before the court, proved that they don’t want the accused to be released on bail as it will disturb the public peace.
The magistrate also said if the court looks at the addresses of both accused, it also proves that they are not safe.
Mashakeng also said both are alleged hitmen and there are many opportunities for them to be killed.
Masondo will be back in court alone on Friday, September 23 to be officially notified of the high court date because he was in hospital when Mhlanga and Buthelezi were informed of the high court date.
The court gallery was full of Vukta and community members.
The taxi association even stopped taxis from operating until the magistrate delivered her judgement.
Members were grateful for the outcome of Buthelezi and Masondo’s bail application.
Vukta chairman, Fanyana Sibanyoni told the association members that it was an achievement for their association and they will follow the case to Delmas High Court because they want justice for Khumalo.
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/279511/taxi-boss-shoots-himself-before-cops-can-arrest-him/
