Man granted E3k bail for stealing two goats
A man from Nkhaba was granted bail of E3000 for stealing two goats worth E2,400 and a Samsung tablet worth E1,500. Sabelo Seluleko Mamba appeared before Magistrate Lenhle Zulu and, in his plea for bail, stated that he was a breadwinner at home, had children of his own, and that his parents were sickly.
The magistrate, after careful consideration, granted him bail, subject to certain terms that are designed to reduce the risk of further offences being committed.
It should be noted that a breach of bail conditions is not an offence but does carry a power of arrest. It is encouraging to know that up to 90% of defendants are successfully bailed with conditions, which are complied with and have therefore meant that the victim or community has been protected from further harm while preventing the need for unnecessary or inappropriate detention in police custody or prison custody.
Another matter of Sihle Ntshangase was taken down by the court after seeing traces of passion. Ntshangase appeared before the court for stealing items worth E2,800 from the mother of his baby. He took Avon lotions, Avon oils, Chanel perfume, a sling bag, baby wipes, perfumes, and Air pods. The value of the stolen items combined was E2,805. Magistrate Zulu warned both parents not to use the child as a weapon in their fights and further warned the mother, Ms Babazile Dlamini, not to defer payments of maintenance. She made it clear that the child would be taken away from both if they continued with such behaviour.
In the same court, two warrants of arrest were issued to Alpheus Mamba and Sibusiso Mpungose. Two young boys were called in front of the magistrate for theft, on April 20, 2024, in Nkoyoyo. They broke into a home and stole a brush cutter worth E2,700. They both had a lawyer who mitigated on their behalf.
The brush cutter was also brought to court as evidence and it highlighted that it was recovered as soon as they stole it. They were charged E1500 each and faced five months in prison. This was the same fate for Mr. Melusi Sherpad Shongwe who drove into another car at Pick n Pay traffic lights.
When he did this on March 25, 2024, he rammed into another car that he could not help fix. He was fined E500 for negligent driving, and default of payment grants him five months behind bars. It is important to note that the court takes all matters seriously and strives to ensure that justice is served fairly and impartially.