Brits – A man accused of the murder of a North West policeman was denied bail for the second time at the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Samuel Marothodi Maphanga, 25, of Soshanguve north of Pretoria, was applying for bail on new facts.
Advocate Samuel Modau, for Maphanga, told the court that investigations had been completed and two other men wanted in this case have been arrested.
“Investigations have been complete and the other accused have been arrested, this means accused one’s [Maphanga] life is no longer in danger.
“Bail was previously denied on the basis that his life was in danger as the two other accused were still at large,” Modau told the court.
Modau said Maphanga would also not interfere with investigations.
He argued that Maphanga was not a flight risk and would obey all bail conditions. He further told the court nothing was found in Maphanga’s possession to link him to the crime and that the State’s case against Maphanga was weak.
Modau pleaded with the court to consider the fact that Maphanga had a clean record and he had cooperated with the police, to such an extent that he was handed over to the police and did not run away.
However, investigating officer, Warrant Officer Victor Ramorwesi told the court Maphanga’s life was still in danger despite the arrest of his two co-accused.
“The community out there is outraged at the killing of police officers. The community still pose danger in his life,” he said.
Prosecutor Cassius Mona told the court the defence had failed to table exceptional reasons for Maphanga to be granted bail, saying he was a flight risk based on the charge he was facing, which carried a minimum sentence of life in jail.
“His father helped the police to arrest him, that is a good part played by his father. The accused cannot inherit his father’s kindness. He can only inherit his properties, not his [father’s] kindness [of] character.
“The accused faces a lengthy term in jail and there is a possibility he will not stand trial.”
Magistrate Reagan Rosenberg then said: “Bail refused.”
The State alleged that Maphanga, Ndoda Mathibefazi and Jonathan Seloane shot and wounded Warrant officer Sipho Sithole, 48, in Letlhabile near Brits on November 14, before they hijacked his car.
Sithole was in his car when he was approached by three men. They allegedly shot him in the chest and fled with his car. He was rushed to hospital where he died. His car was found in Soshanguve north of Pretoria later.
The trio face charges of murder and armed robbery.
Their case was postponed to May 6.
Ndoda Mathibefazi and Jonathan Seloane did not apply for bail. In their previous appearance they told magistrate Rosenberg that they did not wish to apply for bail.
Ramorwesi had told the court that nothing was found in Maphanga’s possession to link him to the crime. However, he said Maphanga had admitted to being at the crime scene and was also able to point out where the incident took place.
He was arrested on November 25, after the Hawks went to his parents’ home in Soshanguve, and his father, Steve Maphanga, made an arrangement with the police that he would inform them when his son was at home. At the time Maphanga was at work.
Ramorwesi arrested Mathibefazi on January 31 in Soshanguve, while Seloane was arrested on February 4 in Makapanstad.
African News Agency
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