Durban – Murder accused soldier Thembinkosi American Ngcobo made a brief appearance in the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning.
Dressed smartly and smiling, the 26-year-old appeared in good spirits and waved to the gallery – where members of his family who were at court to support him, were seated.
Ngcobo was remanded into isolated custody – at the request of his lawyer, Sizwe Cele – until next week, when he is expected to make a formal application for bail.
Public prosecutor Stan Miloszewski said on Sunday that the State would be opposing bail.
Thembinkosi American Ngcobo appears in the Ntuzuma Magistrate's Court. Photo: Bernadette Wolhuter/The Mercury
Ngcobo – a member of the 8 South African Infantry Battalion (8 SAI) based in Upington, Northern Cape – last Tuesday allegedly shot dead a woman and wounded three other people while on an enraged hunt for his girlfriend.
He then disappeared until Thursday night, when he handed himself over to Inanda police.