Evander Court postpones case against police constable linked to taxi boss murder investigation
Constable Gert Lebitsi (43) faces two counts of defeating the ends of justice, one count of theft and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
The Evander Regional Court on July 13 postponed the case against Constable Gert Lebitsi (43) to September 8.
Lebitsi, who was stationed at the eMbalenhle Police Station at the time of his arrest, has since been transferred to a police station outside the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
His transfer followed protests by the Vukanini Taxi Association (VUKTA), which last year demanded his immediate removal from the eMbalenhle Police Station.
Lebitsi was arrested last year by members of the Secunda Murder and Robbery Unit.
He faces two counts of defeating the ends of justice, one count of theft and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
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He was granted bail of R4 000 in October last year.
During earlier court proceedings in September, investigating officer Sergeant Sabelo Zwane testified that Lebitsi was allegedly in possession of an R5 rifle linked to the 2021 assassination of Kinross taxi boss Fani Khumalo.
Khumalo was shot and killed at his home in Kinross in November 2021 while preparing his minibuses for the day’s operations.
According to evidence presented in court, four armed men opened fire on him, shooting him seven times in the chest before fleeing the scene.
Sergeant Zwane further testified that the R5 rifle had allegedly been stolen from a crime scene in April 2022 following the murder of prominent eMbalenhle businessman Jabulani “Jabu” Nkosi (45).
Nkosi was sitting in his BMW X5 outside the eMbalenhle Mall while waiting for his wife when he was ambushed in what investigators described as a mafia-style hit.
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Two gunmen allegedly opened fire from both sides of the vehicle before fleeing towards Ext 5.
During Lebitsi’s arrest, police also recovered a 9mm firearm in his possession. Lebitsi allegedly claimed that the firearm was a toy that he carried for self-protection.
The weapon was subsequently sent for forensic analysis.
The court also heard that Lebitsi led investigators to locations where he claimed the missing R5 rifle had been hidden, but police were unable to recover the firearm.
Members of the Vukanini Taxi Association attended the proceedings in large numbers at the Evander Regional Court, calling for justice for their slain member, Fani Khumalo. The matter was postponed to September 8 for further investigation.
