Killer suspect should not be granted bail - SACP

GRANTING bail to the man accused of killing eThekwini ANC leader Sbu Sibiya will jeopardise the case, the South African Communist Party has warned

SACP provincial secretary Themba Mthembu said: "In the interest of the security of the suspect, bail must never be considered."

He feared the accused, Xolani Zulu, might end up being killed, like those who were wanted in connection with Inkosi Mbongeleni Zondi's murder.

"We might have a situation similar to that of Inkosi Zondi where all the suspects were eliminated, which effectively collapsed the case."

Zondi, a descendant of the famous Inkosi Bhambatha Zondi and an ANC supporter, was killed in Umlazi in January in 2009.

Zulu briefly appeared in the Ntuzuma magistrate's court on Monday. His case was postponed to next Tuesday, when a date for his bail application would be set.

Mthembu said he hoped more arrests would be made in connection with Sibiya's murder.

"We believe the police will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of other suspects who allegedly worked with the businessman who is said to be a former taxi boss-turned-construction tycoon," said Mthembu, referring to Zulu.

"The SACP in KwaZulu-Natal feels vindicated by the recent indications that Sibiya's murder was politically motivated and involved business interests linked to political office."

Sibiya was shot dead outside his Inanda, Durban, home in July.

Police shot and killed two men suspected of involvement in the murder in a house in Chatsworth, Durban, on Wednesday.

Warrant Officer Rakesh Maharaj was killed and two of his colleagues were seriously wounded during the raid on the house.