Three of the four suspects, who were arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 13-year-old Gabisile Shabane, who was living with albinism, as well as 15 months old Nkosikhona Welcome Ngwenya, were denied bail by the Witbank Magistrate’s Court.
Police had previously reported that the suspects broke into a house at Hlalanikahle on Sunday, January 28 during the dead of the night at about 01:30 and kidnapped the two children. A manhunt for the suspects and a search to locate the children was instituted, which led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of the lifeless bodies of the children.
The suspects, Mthobisi Brilliant Mkhize (26), Themba Thubane (26) and Knowledge Mhlanga were arrested together with accused number one Thokozani Msibi (32).
The four accused for the kidnapping and murder of 13-year-old Gabisile Shabane, who was living with albinism, as well as 15 months old Nkosikhona Ngwenya. The four are Thokozani Msibi (32), Mthobisi Brilliant Mkhize (26), Themba Thubane (26) and Knowledge Mhlanga. They are scheduled to appear in the same court on Friday, June 1 and were denied bail by the Witbank Magistrate’s Court.
The state prosecutor Fannie Mavundla raised some points in that the trio cannot be admitted to bail because it was a premeditated murder. Also that Thubane and Mhlanga were in the Shabane house during the kidnapping and knows the state witness, Funky Khumalo. They were allegedly present when the baby Nkosikhona was thrown into the stream. That they might jeopardise investigations and intimidate witnesses.
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It is further reported that magistrate Darleen Venter in denying bail for the three accused, said they failed to show the court exceptional circumstances on why they should be granted bail. She further said by granting bail to the trio, it could jeopardise investigations as Shabane’s missing body parts are yet to be found.
It was also stated that the accused are faced with a serious case and their release from custody will pose a danger to the public order. The public interest needs to be considered and that more than 600 signatures have been received from the public calling for the suspects to be denied bail.
The nine charges against the accused were read out by the magistrate.
The accused are scheduled to appear in the same court on Friday, June 1 for further investigation.
