The release of man accused of murdering ANC eThekwini leader S’bu Sibiya will cause political instability, the ANC said on Monday.
“We are very concerned that the release of [Xolani] Zulu on bail might jeopardise the case and cause political instability in the region,” the ruling party’s provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said.
He was reacting to Zulu’s release on bail on Monday. Zulu was granted R15 000 bail in the Durban High Court on Monday.
Zulu was refused bail in October this year by magistrate Kevin Brouton but appealed in the high court on Monday and won.
Sensitive matter
Zikalala said Sibiya’s murder was a sensitive matter.
“As the ANC, we are of the view that any threats of political instability are legitimately worth careful consideration by any court dealing with this sensitive matter,” he said.
Addressing ANC members outside the court on Monday, provincial executive member Senzo Mkhize said the ANC believed there was a likelihood Zulu would be killed by the people he allegedly plotted with to murder Sibiya.
“If that happens, it will mean that the case will also die. We don’t want that to happen.”
In danger
During the appeal hearing on Monday, the state argued that Zulu’s life would be in danger if released on bail.
“If he is released, his life will not be safe. There has been a huge public outcry about this case,” state advocate Nombulelo Mbatha said.
Zulu’s advocate Jimmy House told the court there was no evidence to support claims that his client’s life would be in danger.
He pointed out that magistrate Brouton had used the word “possibility” instead of likelihood when he rejected Zulu’s bail application. The court agreed with House.
Sibiya, a regional ANC secretary, was killed near his house in Inanda, Durban in July this year. — Sapa