/ 7 December 2012

IFP murder accused continues bail hearing

The bail hearing of four men accused of killing a woman IFP supporter continues in the Durban Regional Court.
The bail hearing of four men accused of killing a woman IFP supporter continues in the Durban Regional Court.

The investigating officer, Captain Cedric Nthenga, told the court on Thursday there were two eyewitness statements. When cross-examined however he said there were "four or five".

He was giving evidence in the bail application of Mgezeni "Bhungu" Gwala, his son Mjabulelwa Gwala, Malusi Sibusiso Ncengwa and Skhumbuzo Nxumalo.

The fifth accused, Bonginhlanhla Gwala, was released on R20 000 bail last month. They are accused of killing Cebisile Shezi on October 6.

The bail hearing continues in the Durban Regional Court

Nthenga admitted under cross-examination that he had not considered taking the four men into custody to carry out gun residue tests, even though witnesses had identified the Gwalas and Nxumalo as being the gunmen.

Shezi was shot dead outside the Thembalihle railway station in KwaMashu, north of Durban, shortly after Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa addressed IFP supporters at a sports field in A-section. She was wearing an Inkatha Freedom Party T-shirt at the time. Mthethwa had been speaking to IFP supporters in an attempt to reduce tensions in the area. – Sapa