Johannesburg - Murder-accused Patrick Wisani will spend Youth Day in jail after being re-arrested and having his bail withdrawn, three weeks after a warrant for his arrest was issued.
On Wednesday morning, Wisani arrived at the high court in Palm Ridge 20 minutes late and argued with police officers when they arrested him.
“I brought myself here. There’s no reason why you have to tie this thing this tight,” he said irritably as he was handcuffed.
“Are you performing for the media, that you brought in?” he then accused the officers.
Wisani allegedly sjambokked his girlfriend, Nosipho Mandleleni to death in September. He was the ANC Youth League chairman for Joburg inner city at the time.
A warrant for his arrest was issued by the court last month after he failed to appear for an urgent application brought by the state to have his bail revoked.
Wisani had broken one of his bail conditions which stipulated that he was not allowed to make contact with any of the witnesses.
He allegedly intimidated and dragged Nosipho’s twin sister, Siphokazi, along the ground when he saw her exiting a Joburg club.
Siphokazi laid charges against Wisani soon after.
It was Siphokazi who found her sister’s body after Wisani had allegedly brutally assaulted her with a sjambok and broomstick.
During proceedings, Wisani’s lawyer, Wilson Ndlovu admitted that having contact with a witness was not the only bail condition that Wisani had failed to adhere to.
“We do concede there was a breach (of his bail conditions, that) relates to the signing at the local police station… He was not complying with that,” he said.
According to the bail conditions, Wisani was meant to report to Khutsong police station on specific days each week.
Prosecutor Faghre Mohamed also indicated that Wisani had not been staying at the address he had provided to the court during his bail application.
“We could not trace him at his address which was given,” he told the court.
After listening to Mohamed and Ndlovu, Judge Ratha Mokgoathleng withdrew Wisani’s bail.
“Your bail is withdrawn, meaning you will remain in custody,” he said.
The trial was expected to start on August 1.
During proceedings, Wisani occasionally shook or nodded his head in the dock, his arms crossed over his chest.
Nonhlanhla Skosana from Sonke Gender Justice said she was pleased that Wisani had been rearrested and his bail revoked.
“No one is above the law. Leaders should be an example, particularly from political parties which are committed to gender equality and ending violence against women,” she told The Star.
@Gabi_Falanga
The Star