Bail granted to murder accused in Margate stabbing case

Bail was granted to Njabulo Skhosana (25) from Gamalakhe who was arrested in connection with the murder of Byron Boucher (20) in a parking lot area in Valley Road, Margate recently.

Skhosana is facing charges of murder, attempted murder and two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Acting Magistrate Phakamisa Manciya fixed the bail at R3000, and Skhosana was warned not to breach any of the bail conditions, otherwise there would be a warrant for his arrest.

He concluded that it would take some time until the outstanding evidence, such as the photo album and DNA results, make the investigation complete.

He added that Skhosana was in good health and had engaged a private attorney and the likelihood (if denied bail) would be that he would not be able to raise funds to pay for his defence.

Manciya said it was common cause it (the murder) was committed near a drinking place, and there was a fight between the applicant and others.

Boucher and a group of his friends were waiting for a lift home when an incident unfolded at around midnight on May 31. He was stabbed to death and died while three of his friends were injured in the stabbing incident.

Three men, the accused (Skhosana) and two of his friends were arrested by Maser Security shortly afterwards.
In his bail application heard in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court last week, Skhosana’s attorney read an affidavit stating that the lifeguard worked at St Mike’s beach.

He was confident he would be acquitted of the charges, didn’t pose a danger to state witnesses, wasn’t a flight risk, had no previous convictions and denied stabbing the deceased. He added that he has three children, one of which is two weeks old.
The state called investigating officer Sergeant Michelle van Niekerk to the witness box.

She opposed bail saying the community was outraged by the offence which happened at a place where violence was not permitted.

She felt that the accused would influence the state witnesses and that his life was in danger. “There has been a lot of talk that if he walks out of court something will happen to him.”

She explained that the video footage of the accused stabbing the victims had been retrieved where the accused before court can be heard: “Stop the video. Stop videoing us, we are f***king them up.”

When questioned by the accused’s attorney as to why only one person was charged for this crime, Van Niekerk said she had sufficient evidence to place the accused on the scene, and having committed the crime.

“All the witnesses confirmed that the person who did the stabbing was wearing a red lifeguard jacket and maroon tracksuit pants, and that is the accused before court.”

Skhosana’s attorney argued that the incident was a brawl, and not premediated.
His next court appearance is on July 14.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram