Teen murder suspect drops bail application

A 32-year-old man accused of killing a 15-year-old girl and burning her body abandoned his bail application at the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Tshepo Manyiki appeared briefly in court and through his legal representative stated that he was no longer applying for bail. He further told the court that other inmates had threatened him when he was brought to court from Potchefstroom.

His case was postponed to July 31 for further investigation. He is facing a charge of murder.

He is accused of killing Nombuyiselo Nombewu at Jouberton Extension 7, near Klerksdorp, and burning her body.

She was last seen on May 12, when her grandmother sent her to one of the neighbours. She did not come home and a missing persons case was opened on May 13.

Her burnt body was found in an open veld the next day. Manyiki was later that day arrested.

Angry residents, mostly women, packed the courtroom, while some stood on court benches to get a glimpse of Manyiki.

They later chanted outside court, rejoicing that he did not apply for bail.

“We say no bail to this one,” read one of the placards. “Stop hurting us,” read another, while others read: “Family must be a place of love not death. Stand up for women.”

Manyiki also appeared in the same court on a separate charge of the rape of a minor.