Rhodes murder accused bail ruling today

THE Rhodes University student accused of being the mastermind behind the brutal torture and murder of a Grahamstown man he suspected of stealing his laptop will find out today if he will be released on bail.

Closing arguments were heard for the second time by magistrate Lindelwa Figlan yesterday after the state last week said they had further evidence implicating Thembani Onceya in the torture and murder of Thembalani Qwakanisa.

The decision to reopen the bail application to hear the new evidence was made after prosecutor Lyle Prins said it had suddenly become available as the investigation was still ongoing.

Qwakanisa’s body was found wrapped in a carpet in a township dam early last month and two of Onceya’s brothers and two friends were arrested soon afterwards.

The third year student was arrested the next day when he heard police were looking for him and he handed himself in.

He has been in custody ever since.

Defence attorney Basil Williams yesterday disputed the “new evidence” was new, saying it was already available to the state before Prins made his closing argument for the first time last week.

He also accused investigating officer detective John Manzana of sabotaging his client’s bail application after it emerged he could not find an address in Port Alfred where Onceya could stay if bailed, despite having a phone number to contact the homeowner.

Figlan said she needed time to digest the new evidence and would deliver judgment today.