Court postpones case against alleged eMbalenhle tavern shooter
During his arrest, a firearm with ammunition and two magazines were recovered.
The Evander Regional Court has, on May 25, postponed the case against Musonwabo Skweza (35) to June 8 for copies of the docket.
Skweza is facing double murder charges following a murder in a tavern in eMbalenhle on January 1.
He was traced and arrested on the morning of January 3 between Leandra and Devon in a collaborative work done by members of Crime Intelligence, Embalenhle Detective Services and Visible Policing, Secunda Flying Squad, and Kinross SAPS.
It was reported that Skweza had probably hitchhiked to Gauteng and gotten a lift from a private vehicle.
During his arrest, a firearm with ammunition and two magazines were recovered. The serial number of the seized firearm was filed off, and police believed this could have been the weapon that was used during the murders.
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Skweza is faced with various charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm with ammunition and double murder charges.
The victims were identified as Siyabonga Fortune Hlapo (25) and Ratile Motloung (24). Following his arrest, Sikweza abandoned his bail application.
The Evander regional court has also postponed a case of eMbalenhle police officers to June 8, and these officers are facing several charges, including the alleged murder of Mkhapheli Mbatha, who died in October 2025.
It is alleged that the officers assaulted and tortured Mbatha during a drug search at his home in the Mandela Section of eMbalenhle.
Charges include murder, two counts of kidnapping, three counts of common assault, one count of assault GBH, and defeating the ends of justice.
ALSO READ: Tavern shooting in eMbalenhle: Double murder case transferred to Regional Court
The Evander Magistrate’s Court on November 2025 granted bail of R2 000 each of the officers following their arrest by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
The accused are constables Zanele Zondo, Ntsikelelo Mayataza and Sandile Zondo, reservist Simphiwe Maseko and Sergeant Zwelakhe Fodo.
In delivering her bail ruling, the magistrate said the accused had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that they were suitable candidates for bail.
She noted that they had co-operated fully with the IPID during their arrest and that neither the State nor the IPID opposed their release.
The officers were released on condition that they do not interfere with witnesses. All five have been suspended from the SAPS pending internal disciplinary processes. The court postponed their case to January 29 for further investigation.
