Murder accused denied bail

An East London informal trader, arrested over the death of his friend at his Quigney flat on Saturday, has been denied bail by the East London magistrate’s court.

Sivuyile Maluna cut a lonely figure as he sat in the dock on Thursday. The packed bail court gallery listened intently while investigating officer Sergeant Mbulelo Matyeni gave evidence.

The state believes Maluna stabbed his friend to death. The identity of the deceased is being withheld until his family is informed. Maluna, 23, handed himself in at the East London police station in Fleet Street, accompanied by his father, on Sunday.

Matyeni, arguing against bail, said Maluna had a number of different names on his charge sheet and nine different addresses.

He said a bottle of wine had been consumed on Saturday and two beers when Maluna suddenly asked the friend to leave his flat.

“While the friend was going out [Maluna] got his knife out and stabbed the friend in the chest.”

Defence counsel Noma-Afrika Wakashe argued that the state’s case was weak as all its witnesses were under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Matyeni hit back saying, “I do not know how drunk they were because, according to his girlfriend’s statement, they had just finished drinking two beers and one bottle of wine before the incident happened.”

He said the accused could present a flight risk and there was also a danger that he would interfere with the investigation should he be granted bail.

“He has many names that are here and many addresses. The postmortem report and photo album is still outstanding. The witness is known to the suspect – she is his girlfriend. He will intimidate and influence the witnesses with the investigation.”

The court was told Maluna had 13 previous convictions including housebreaking and theft.

The accused pleaded with magistrate Joel Cesar to be released saying he had an informal car wash business, from which he also supported his aunt financially. But Cesar refused bail and postponed the matter to December 10.

The court was told Maluna had 13 previous convictions including theft