Man accused of brutal murders abandons bail bid
A SUSPECT who allegedly hacked two grade 12 pupils to death in the Ngwangwane Village of Creighton on the South Coast, has abandoned his bail application.
THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed the accused would remain behind bars after he abandoned his bail application yesterday.
Provincial NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara, said the matter was adjourned to September, 27.
Phumelele Verwoed Zulu, 20, appeared at the Donnybrook Magistrate’s Court for hacking to death Amanda Zulu,18, and Minenhle Buthelezi,18.
Zulu and Buthelezi, who were matriculants at Ginyane High School, were hacked to death before being dismembered earlier this month.
Zulu’s body was left on the doorstep of their rented house in the Memela homestead, while Buthelezi's was found 5km away from the scene.
They were laid to rest last week in Kwashusha and Nyanisweni areas.
Before the court appearance, community policing forums, faith-based organisations, traditional councils, men's forum, women’s formations, youth formations and civilians picketed outside court in support of both families who “tragically lost their children in a brutal murder.”
The Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Local Municipality communities, mostly women, came out in numbers for a peaceful march that was aimed at putting pressure on the court.
Mournful songs were sung throughout while the court proceedings continued inside. Placards saying “No to women and children abuse” and “No to bail or the release of the suspect” carried by the demonstrators.
Speaking for the Buthelezi family, councillor Bukhosibakhe Phosekama said they were praying the suspect would be sentenced so that the families could find closure.
“The family has not healed, especially the elderly. It would hurt 10 times more to hear that the suspects roam the very same streets freely while he did such a horrible thing.
“No person with such deeds deserves to be around society. We are grateful for his decision not to apply for bail as this would have made most people especially women and children feel unsafe,” said Phosekama.