Gogo MAweni during her bail application in the Protea Magistrates Court on Monday, 27 January . Photo by Morapedi Mashashe
LINDANI Mgube, an in-law of controversial sangoma Gogo Maweni, has been denied bail.
This after he appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court for his bail application on Wednesday, 12 February.
He faces two charges of murder.
During the appearance, Mgube frequently turned to the gallery, which was filled with relatives and friends.
He’s accused of killing Maweni’s gobela and her initiate in April 2024. The court heard that one of the victims was blind at the time of the incident.
According to information presented by the state, the two were killed at about 9am. The first victim was shot multiple times in the yard, while the second victim was shot and killed inside the house in the presence of a 12-year-old child.
State prosecutor Leanie Reiner argued that the murders were premeditated hits, as nothing was stolen from the victims.
“There was a hit on these two sangomas. There are other sangoma murder cases connected to these ones. About five sangomas have been killed since June last year. They are all connected. A hitman is in the process of being arrested. This information was shared by the investigating officer, but more details cannot be revealed at this moment,” she said.
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The state also demonstrated to the court that they have postmortem reports showing numerous shots at the victims. Reiner highlighted that witnesses are being intimidated and granting bail could prevent them from attending the trial.
“The murder was premeditated and planned. The investigative officer informed us that witnesses have noticed suspicious cars around their homes and no longer feel safe,” she added.
Mgube was identified through an identification parade by two witnesses. His defence counsel, attorney Rotenda Nthangeni, admitted in court that the accused has a previous conviction for driving under the influence. Arguing for bail, he cited that Mgube is a breadwinner, married with two kids.Â
However, Magistrate Rieta Willemse stated that the reasons presented were not strong enough for bail, considering the facts provided by the state.
The case has been postponed to Thursday, 13 February. As he left the dock, Mgube thanked people in the court gallery for their support.
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