Accused in Hawks threat case granted bail

A MAN accused of texting death threats to Hawks provincial spokeswoman Captain Anelisa Feni last November was yesterday granted R700 bail by the East London Magistrate’s Court.

Sithembele April of Mdantsane has been in police custody for five months since his arrest in November. Regional magistrate Dan Ngoqo warned April his bail would be revoked if he “interfered” with state witnesses in the case.

April was arrested after Feni received text messages threatening her with death if she did not resign from the police service “within two days”. This was after April had allegedly called Eastern Cape Development Corporation CEO Ndzondelelo Dlulane’s office to warn him of a possible hit on him, which he allegedly said was planned in his presence by a hitman he knew, and whom he claimed was hired by someone who had just been fired at ECDC.

When the trial commences next month, the state is expected to call in Hawks investigator Captain Luphumlo Lwana, Feni, Nangamso Ndawule and Dlulane as its witnesses. He has been charged with two counts of intimidation and trying to escape from custody.

During his first court appearance in late November April is alleged to have attempted to escape while in the presence of eight heavily armed police officers.

April was yesterday ordered by Ngoqo to report to the Hawks offices in East London every Wednesday until his trial, which is set for next month, is completed.

After his court appearance last month, April’s legal representative, Mkhuseli Nosilela, told the Dispatch that the state face the “mammoth task” of having to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the threatening text messages sent to Feni were indeed sent by April.

At the time of April’s arrest in November, Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi told the Dispatch the threats had gone on for about 12 months.

April had initially applied for bail last November but it was denied after he informed then bail magistrate Siyabulela Pango that he sold mandrax tablets for a living.

At the time the father of two, pleading to be released on R500 bail, said his life was in danger in prison as he was locked up with members of the 26 gang, whom he had helped imprison by testifying against them.

Ngoqo yesterday set April’s trial dates for between June 6-8. —