Bail for attempted murder accused hubby slammed

Dikgale’s business is suffering – court

The family of a woman who landed in ICU after she was choked, allegedly by her husband, has expressed shock that the man has been granted bail.

The Palm Ridge magistrate’s court yesterday granted Matome Dikgale R15,000 bail in his case of attempted murder and violation of a protection order.

Dikgale was arrested in September after he was caught by security guards allegedly strangling his wife Nthabiseng at her apartment in Alberton.

Nthabiseng ’s sister Monica Sitai said the family feared for their lives now that Dikgale has been released on bail.

“He has tried several times to kill her, even violated protection orders she had obtained against him,” said Sitai.

She said Nthabiseng had also survived a shooting from unknown men four months before she landed in ICU.

“She was shot four times by unknown men who just entered the house and asked for her,” Sitai said.

“That was just three weeks after she had moved out of their house with the children and told him she wanted a divorce after years of abuse.

“We feel that he has been trying to kill her because he does not want her getting anything from their settlement because they are married in community of property.

“I just wish they could go their separate ways in peace.”

Dozens of community members and various gender activists also expressed disappointment that Dikgale was granted bail.

Magistrate Jan van der Heuvel said he decided to grant Dikgale bail based on new facts presented to the court by his new lawyer.

He said he had considered that Dikgale’s businesses had suffered major financial losses during his incarceration.

Prosecutor Nkosazana Maloyi told the court that the state and Dikgale’s lawyers had agreed on bail conditions to consider the safety of his wife.

The bail conditions include that Dikgale will relocate to Jane Furse in Limpopo where he would be staying with his sister until the end of the case.

“The accused will be signing at the Jane Furse police station once a week so we can track his movements. Should he need to visit Gauteng it will only be for business and for consultation with lawyers and he must report to the investigating officer,” said Maloyi.

The matter was remanded to February 10 for a trial date.