By Observer Reporter | 2018-02-20
BY noon yesterday, murder suspect Sipho Shongwe’s attorney had still not filed responding papers to an application made by the Crown to the effect that the state is opposing his bail application.
Last Wednesday, when the bail application was opposed, Shongwe’s lawyer Sipho Mnisi had indicated that they were yet to file their responding papers to those of the crown, which is opposing bail and indicated that this would be made between Friday and yesterday.
However, the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday filed a correspondence letter reflecting that they had not yet been served with the responding papers, further noting that it was already late for the applicants to file same.
The urgent bail application is expected back in court tomorrow as High Court Judge Sipho Nkosi indicated last week that it would be determined by this date whether the applicant is granted bail or not.
Shongwe, who was arrested on January 19, in connection with the murder of prominent businessman and football administrator Victor Gamedze, filed an application for bail at the High Court, where he denies to have committed the offence.
He argued that he was not involved in the murder of Gamedze.
According to a charge sheet annexed to his application for bail, it is alleged that on January 14, 2018 at or near Galp Filling Station (Ezulwini), Shongwe, acting jointly with other people in furtherance of a common purpose, unlawfully killed Gamedze.
Currently, the police have arrested two of the three suspects who are alleged to have acted jointly with Shongwe to kill Gamedze. The two are Mbuso ‘Ncaza’ Nkosi and Siphiwe Tata ‘Ntjebe’ Ngubane, who were both arrested while in South Africa.
So far, only Sicelo ‘Dzodzo’ Zikalala/Luthango is elusive.
A sum of E450 000 is at stake for anyone who would assist the police with information that would lead to the suspect’s arrest.
In his application for bail, Shongwe averred that on the day of the murder incident, he was at home with his family. He told the court that at his home there were cameras.
According to Shongwe, the cameras would show that on the date of the incident, he did not leave his residence.
“I state that I was not involved in the murder of Mr Victor Gamedze. My home is situated 40 kilometres away from the place where the deceased was killed,” alleged Shongwe.
He went on to state that he had been told that Gamedze was killed at a petrol station and that the video footage showed that the gunman arrived at the filling station, and that after they had killed Gamedze, fled the scene.
“I deny that I killed the deceased or that I acted in common purpose to do so with anybody,” he submitted in his affidavit.
The businessman stated that there was no strong case against him and would in all probability be acquitted by the trial court.
He said he had a good defence to the charge he was facing.
share story
Post Your Comments Below
THE passing on of one of the country’s longest serving ministers of the Gospel has left the...
Government has filed an urgent application at the High Court seeking an order reviewing and setti...
SPORTS - A star is born.
Local swimmer Luca Fraser was named the 2023 Outstanding Sports Sta...
Church bodies and individuals have conveyed condolences on the demise of Reverend Dr Nicholas Tha...
All material © Swazi Observer. Material may not be published or reproduced in any form without prior written permission.
Design by Real Image Internet