Reeston eight have to wait for bail
A MAGISTRATE and state prosecutor set to preside over the bail application of eight people accused of torching the Reeston house belonging to Buffalo City Metro ANC Ward 13 councillor Nokulunga Matiwane two weeks ago, recused themselves from the case yesterday.
The eight – Siziwe Daniso, 38, Vuyokazi Mapikete, 24, Nomfanelo Mazinga, 43, Phelisa Shotane, 34, Nosicelo Wuve, 43, Nomvuyo Quve, 45, Xolile Nkohla, 37, and Pheliswa Vakele, 31 – appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
They face murder, arson and malicious damage to property charges after the Matiwane home was set alight last month.
As a result, disabled 23year-old Nonkululeko Matiwane who had been trapped inside, was killed in the August 24 blaze.
The incident took place after Matiwane’s husband, Mthuthuzeli, allegedly killed Nomboniso Twana, 54, and Nombulelo Mpitimpiti, 50, after the former allegedly defaulted on her alleged monthly kickback to the councillor.
Nokulunga is out on R500 bail for conspiracy to murder while Mthuthuzeli was denied bail and faces murder charges.
Their son, who is also implicated in the murder of the two women, is currently on the run from police.
Yesterday, magistrate Robin Taylor told the accused that they could not apply for bail as she and state prosecutor Thulani Solani were recusing themselves from the case.
This was because Taylor had presided over Mthuthuzeli’s bail application last Friday.
She said because of that she had intimate details of how his house was burnt down.
“The prosecutor has also previously consulted some of you on the case,” Taylor added.
The state is opposing bail on the matter. Public defender and Legal Aid South Africa attorney Vuyiseka Kani appeared on behalf of the accused.
The eight will formally apply for bail on Monday.
Six were arrested in Scenary Park on Thursday while the other two handed themselves over to the police yesterday, police spokeswoman Captain Hazel Mqala said.
Mqala promised that “more arrests are to be made”. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za / zikhonam@dispatch.co.za with other