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Accused denied bail

ACCUSED: Skhosiphi Gwala appeared in court for the murder of deputy mayor Thandi Mtsweni. 31/08/07. © Sowetan.
ACCUSED: Skhosiphi Gwala appeared in court for the murder of deputy mayor Thandi Mtsweni. 31/08/07. © Sowetan.

McKeed Kotlolo

McKeed Kotlolo

The three men accused of killing the deputy mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality were denied bail yesterday.

The men were applying for bail in the murder case of Thandi Mtsweni in the Evander magistrate's court.

The accused are Skhosiphi Gwala, who allegedly pulled the trigger; Themba Ntombela, the alleged supplier of the murder weapon and Josia Neo Moloi, the alleged driver of the getaway car.

Investigating officer in the case, Inspector Difaga Malope, opposing bail, described the applicants as dangerous. He said the accused did not have permanent residential addresses. Malope also said they could skip bail as they had other outstanding cases.

All three accused appeared in leg irons throughout their bail application, apparently because they tried to escape from the holding cells during their court appearance last week.

Police sources said the three tried to escape through the ceiling of the holding cells before they were spotted.

Malope said Gwala had confessed before a magistrate that he shot Mtsweni on the evening of June 27. He had also allegedly pointed out the murder scene.

Malope said Ntombela, who also admitted to participating in the planning of the murder, as well as having supplied the murder weapon, had three outstanding cases of murder and attempted murder.

He also had a previous conviction for possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Moloi, however, did not apply for bail.

Malope told the court the men were wanted by the Germiston Serious and Violent Crimes Unit for their alleged involvement in taxi violence.

They were all denied bail.

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