Durban - The men accused of killing a Copesville, Pietermaritzburg, resident for a pair of takkies worth R60 have been denied bail.
Msawenkosi Zandile, 20, Sibongile Gcina, 20, Linda Mkhize, 19, and Sifiso Ntombela, 18, are charged with the murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances of 24-year-old Michael Jody Thomas.
Thomas was stabbed to death along New Greytown Road and robbed of his takkies after he and a friend were attacked by a gang of men.
Investigating officer, Warrant Officer Ashok Baldowu, who opposed bail, said in an affidavit before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court this week that the men were allegedly part of a gang responsible for terrorising Copesville residents and robbing people coming to and from work and school.
“People are afraid of them. They don’t report cases to the police for fear of victimisation,” said Baldowu.
He said Thomas and a friend were returning home after running errands and decided to take a short cut.
They were confronted by the gang who were lying in wait along the short cut for someone to rob.
Thomas’s friend managed to run away to get help, but the accused caught Thomas.
They fled with just his takkies, which they later sold for R60. Baldowu said the person who bought the takkies had implicated Mkhize as the person who sold him the shoes.
He said if the four accused were released on bail, he believed they would commit further crimes and might also not stand trial.
Baldowu said Zandile was pointed out in a police identity parade and Gcina, Mkhize and Ntombela had made statements admitting their involvement in the robbery and murder.
Magistrate M Boikhutso denied bail, saying the state’s case against the men appeared to be strong, and that they might be a flight risk.
The case was adjourned to August 3.
Daily News