The Mokopane Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Monday denied bail for two businessmen who allegedly killed two African National Congress (ANC) councillor.
Petros Mashamaite, James Chuma and their co-accused Samuel Seruputlane and Nhloko Frans Mangadi, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of murder. The two suspects were denied bail after they failed to give valuable reasons why they should be released pending their trial.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Samuel Seruputlane Mokonyane and Nhloko Frans Mangadi, who are accused 1 and 4 abandoned their bail applications.
“It is alleged that the accused killed two ANC Mogalakwena councillors, Vaaltyn Kekana, 54, and Ralph Kanyane, 32, in 2019. During the time of the incident, Kekana was about to table a report to municipal council, regarding irregular expenditure or maladministration in the Mogalakwena municipality,” said Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the NPA spokesperson in Limpopo.
Malabi-Dzhangi said Mashamaite told the court that he was a breadwinner in his family, had a job, business, and a medical condition that did not allow him to be incarcerated. He further denied being behind the murder of the two councillors, telling the court that they were his comrades, and he would not kill them.
“He concluded his application by asking the court to release him and said he will abide by the conditions until the matter was finalised. The state opposed Mashamaite’s bail, stating potential interference with the state witnesses as he knows them,” Malabi-Dzhangi said in a statement.
She further said Mashamiate would be able to get medical treatment in custody. Meanwhile Chuma said he wants to be released on bail so he can take care of his family and businesses. He also told the court that he should be released as he is innocent of the charges he is accused of.
“State Prosecutor advocate Calvin Chauke, in his submission, told the court that in respect of his businesses, he (Chuma) did not submit any proof to the court to confirm that indeed his businesses would suffer due to his incarceration. The state concluded by saying that Chuma’s circumstances do not qualify as exceptional circumstances.”
The matter has been postponed to 19 August 2022.
Source: The Citizen, IOL, image from IOL: National Prosecuting Authority