Two arrested seeking bail in another case

A WARRANT of arrest was issued for two men facing a murder charge that they were arrested for while in court applying for bail in another case.

Siyanda Shezi, 22 and Sbonelo Khoza, 25, were arrested for the murder of Mthembiseni Zondi while at the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court where they had been applying for bail in a case in which they were charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm. They were granted R1 000 bail in that matter.

This week the pair were meant to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on murder charges but they did not arrive at court.

They are alleged to have shot and killed 32-year-old Zondi in Klaarwater in April.

The investigating officer who arrested the two, Sergeant Ayanda Doctor Ntombela, was out on R20 000 bail.

He resigned before his bail application. He is charged with the kidnapping and murder of Sihle Mtshare, whom he allegedly took in for questioning but never returned home.

At the men’s bail application, Ntombela had indicated he was not opposed to the two being released on bail.

“They do not own any passports and their families are within the province. They also do not pose any threats, nor will they interfere.”

The men appeared in court last month and the matter was adjourned.

At that time the State had indicated that the post-mortem report was still outstanding.

Warrant Officer MC Cele has taken over from Ntombela as investigating officer.

In court on Monday, State prosecutor N Xulu requested a warrant of arrest be authorised and bail provisionally forfeited as the accused had not arrived.

The matter was adjourned to later this month.

Shezi and Khoza made their first appearance in the murder case on June 30. At the time Shezi abandoned bail and the matter was adjourned for Khoza’s bail application.

However, the following month Shezi changed his mind about his bail bid and the two proceeded with their bail application in August.

When they were released on R3 000 bail, the court heard through an affidavit that Khoza had two children aged 4 and 5.

The unemployed father said he earned R3 000 to R4 000 a month doing piecework.

He said with this money he was financially providing for his two children and contributing at home where he lived with his mother and younger brother.

He intends to plead not guilty to the alleged murder.