Cape Town - Artist and convicted murderer Zwelethu Mthethwa’s attempt to remain out on bail until being sentenced has been dismissed by the Western Cape High Court.
Mthethwa, an internationally renowned artist, was found guilty of the murder of Nokuphila Kumalo, a sex worker, last month.
His bail of R100 000 was revoked and he was remanded awaiting sentencing, which was scheduled to take place this week.
However, he appealed the court’s decision to keep him in custody until sentencing but this failed on Friday.
He had said that he would pay bail of as much as R200 000 and report to a police station every day and that he was not a flight risk. He had told the court he needed time to wind up his business and family matters as he anticipated a long jail term.
Judge Patricia Goliath said everyone in such a situation had matters to wind up; Mthethwa was not a special case.
The judge said the court could not treat Mthethwa differently because of his wealth and status as an artist.