Questions over bail

A North West teenager killed during protests in Blydeville was shot between the eyes, the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court heard yesterday.

State witness and investigating officer Captain Ratati Monyai was testifying in the bail application of Jaco du Plooy, who has been accused of killing 15-year-old Spencer Tshukudu and injuring two others.

“On October 10, 2017, four individuals were at the intersection of the Sannieshof and Thabo Mbeki roads ... helping motorists to avoid the riot and directed them to alternative roads.

“The three included councillor Boikhutso Motlhamme, the deceased and two others. A white bakkie came, they indicated to the driver to turn back as the road was blocked about 700m away. The driver got out of the bakkie and fired shots into them. The deceased was hit between the eyes,” Monyai told the court.

He said there had been no protest at the intersection, and that it was in fact taking place 700m down the road. “The accused was under no threat; if he was ... his vehicle could have been damaged, as well as councillor Motlhamme’s car.”

He testified that Du Plooy’s life would be in danger if he was released on bail. Furthermore, it would trigger public unrest.

He added that Du Plooy’s wife had fled their farm for security reasons.

Du Plooy has claimed that he was attacked and was defending himself and his employees.

He said he had no property in his name, was a businessperson in the construction sector, rented a farm in Rietfontein, 10km from Lichtenburg, was married with four children and was the sole provider for the family. He was therefore not a flight risk.

Magistrate Motlhopa Diale will rule on the bail application on October 19.