Hip hop star all smiles at bail hearing
Looks less strained during his second appearance on charge of killing his wife
THULANI Ngcobo was more cheerful as he appeared in the Joburg Magistrate’s Court for a second time.
The former hip hop star, known as Pitch Black Afro, was arrested last Wednesday in connection with the death of his wife, Catherine Modisane.
At his previous court appearance, the Izandla Phezulu rapper looked startled as he sat down in the dock.
This time, the artist was all smiles, greeting the media and laughing with them.
His mother and a relative also made their way to court to show support.
During a tea break, his mother said it was out of her hands and all she could do was see the case through.
“Mama, don’t you want me to kiss you, you look beautiful,” he asked his mother as the court orderly took him back down to the cells after his case was remanded.
Last week, the case was postponed for the investigating officer to verify Ngcobo’s home address.
State prosecutor Mzamo Mathe said yesterday that the state was satisfied with the address, but still needed to conduct further interviews with the residents, to ensure Ngcobo would be residing there if granted bail.
The courtroom was again packed with media and this time members of the Vuka Mzansi Movement also came to court. The advocacy group said they wanted to see justice served.
Khanyisani Vilakazi, a member of the group, said he was a friend of Ngcobo and expressed his concern at how Ngcobo could “not manage his emotions”.
Modisane was killed in a bed and breakfast in Bellevue, Yeoville, on New Year’s Eve.
“I do blame him for not managing his emotions,” said Vilakazi, speaking to media outside the Joburg Magistrate’s Court.
Vilakazi claims that he had been made aware of the incident in the early hours of New Year’s Eve and was told to go to the B&B.
He alleges that, according to sources, Modisane and Ngcobo had a fight and Modisane went out to find help. Thereafter, she went back to the room she was sharing with Ngcobo when the incident took place.
“I believe that Thulani could have led by example because he is a public figure. As a celebrity you are an inspiration to many people.”
Magistrate Carlo Labuschagne postponed the matter, which is a schedule 6 offence, to January 18.