Five men have been charged with murder after a taxi driver was hijacked, thrown out of the vehicle and dragged for 2km, causing his death.
Yakha Singqoto, 22, Aphiwe Ndara, 19, Thando Sikuni, 30, Mncedi Ndzabela, 23, and Vuyolwethu Tshonti, 20, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court for the first time on Monday. They were arrested at about 1.30am on Friday after a police officer, on patrol in Cape Town, noticed something strange on Sir Lowry Road.
A 35-year-old man from Burundi, who was still attached to the vehicle via a safety belt, was dragged next to the sedan taxi for about 2km.
Police eventually stopped the taxi close to the Good Hope Centre.
The men allegedly tried to flee on foot but were arrested and held in custody over the weekend.
At the time of the incident, police said the men were suspected to have been passengers in the taxi before the alleged hijacking took place.
The taxi driver, whose identity has not been made known, died at the scene due to the injuries he sustained.
State prosecutor Gail October told the court on Monday that the men were charged with murder and aggravated robbery, which fell under schedule six of the Criminal Procedure Act.
This means the men would have to show that exceptional circumstances existed to warrant their release on bail, magistrate Zwelindumile Sogwagwa explained.
“When the accused are arrested on such serious offences there is no automatic release on bail.
“The law makes provision that the accused must remain in custody and a formal bail application must be brought,” Sogwagwa said.
In court, the men initially said they wanted to appoint private lawyers to defend them but minutes later opted for a State-funded legal aid lawyer.
Chantal Gillian, who was appointed to represent all five men, said her clients wanted to bring a formal bail application.
October said the State was opposed to their release on bail, but also needed time to establish whether they have criminal records, fixed addresses and establish whether they would evade their trial.