‘Heist’ trio in court for bail

Three men arrested in Komani after a foiled cash-in-transit heist in Kariega in August, in which a bystander was shot and killed, appeared in the Komani magistrate’s court on Monday for the closing arguments of their bail applications.

Phikolomzi Mnyatela, Andile Mngqibisa and Thabile Mntonitsho were arrested close to the traffic circle where the R67 and N6 meet on the morning of August 29.

Defense attorney Nonkosi Mkile, representing Mnyatela and Mntonitsho, told the court her clients were not a flight risk and had supplied the court with the address where they were staying, which was not far from Komani.

Mkile said Mnyatela, who hailed from Ncora village in Cofimvaba, had a public administration qualification and was involved in the transport industry, as the owner of a Toyota Avanza, Toyota Quantum, Siyaya and a VW Polo.

“With him behind bars, his business is taking a knock.

“Mntonitsho is from Gubevu village in Lower Qutsa, also in Cofimvaba, and he owns a carwash business in Cape Town which is his main source of income that he uses to support his family,” she said.

Mkile argued that both her clients were suitable candidates to be granted bail because they were not a flight risk and needed to return to running their businesses to support their families.

Mngqibisa’s attorney, Sinesipho Mayinjana, argued his client should not be charged for the possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, as these were found in the car he was driving, and not in his possession.

“My client should also be excused in the case of being found with a stolen vehicle as the car Mnqibisa was driving belonged to Mnyatela,” he said.

Mayinjana said Mnqibisa was from St Marks and owned a spaza shop.

“He is not a flight risk and has not been charged with any other alleged cases,” he said.

He said should Mngqibisa be denied bail, he would suffer a financial loss.

“The state dismally failed to submit a strong case, my client should be granted bail,” he said.

The state opposed bailed, stating that the three faced a schedule five offence.

The charges included attempted murder, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.

Their case was postponed to today for a ruling.