Mtubatuba murder case suspect asks for R5 000 bail

The parolee taxi owner from Mtubatuba who was arrested for last year’s murder of EFF uMkhanyakude District Councillor Mxolisi Buthelezi has asked for R5 000 bail.

The judgment in the bail application is expected to be handed down on 14 June at KwaMsane Magistrate’s Court.

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The bail applicant’s legal representative, Advocate Scelo Zungu, told the court that his client has put forward his personal circumstances, which include that he is from Mtubatuba, with a family based in the same area, and has a business operating locally.

Zungu further said the applicant’s assets, which include a house and a taxi, amount to an estimated R500 000, which means ‘there is no way he would evade trial’.

“I submit that the case of the State is weak,” Zungu told the court, adding that one witness was already under witness protection, and that the court can place ‘prohibitory conditions’ on the suspect once out on bail.

State prosecutor Advocate Lawrence Gcaba said the bail applicant failed to give the court exceptional circumstances warranting him being granted bail.

“You have no choice but to order his detention,” Gcaba implored the court.

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