THE case against four awaiting-trial prisoners accused of killing a fellow inmate was yesterday postponed in the Ritavi magistrate's court in Limpopo to next Monday
Thulani Mathebula, 21, Thomas Nkuna, 21, Prince Jackie Mkhari, 27, and Tshepo Mathebula, 18, stand accused of killing Prince Rampedi inside the Ritavi police holding cells on Friday afternoon.
They were yesterday denied bail until their next court appearance.
Rampedi, 25, of Lusaka village near NkowaNkowa had been arrested on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. While in the holding cells, Rampedi was allegedly murdered by Thulani, who was facing two counts of rape .
After realising that Rampedi had died, Thulani was allegedly assisted by the three other prisoners to wash the victim's body and blood-soaked clothes. His body was then dressed with other clothes to make it look as though he had died of natural causes.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the motive for the murder would be probed.
He also said the Independent Complaints Directorate had been notified about the case so it could conduct its independent investigations.
"We are also investigating whether there was negligence on the part of police," he said.
Mulaudzi said Mkhari and Nkuna were awaiting trial for burglary and Tshepo for two counts of rape.
"All four are now facing an additional charge of murder."
Murder case against inmates delayed
THE case against four awaiting-trial prisoners accused of killing a fellow inmate was yesterday postponed in the Ritavi magistrate's court in Limpopo to next Monday
Thulani Mathebula, 21, Thomas Nkuna, 21, Prince Jackie Mkhari, 27, and Tshepo Mathebula, 18, stand accused of killing Prince Rampedi inside the Ritavi police holding cells on Friday afternoon.
They were yesterday denied bail until their next court appearance.
Rampedi, 25, of Lusaka village near NkowaNkowa had been arrested on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. While in the holding cells, Rampedi was allegedly murdered by Thulani, who was facing two counts of rape .
After realising that Rampedi had died, Thulani was allegedly assisted by the three other prisoners to wash the victim's body and blood-soaked clothes. His body was then dressed with other clothes to make it look as though he had died of natural causes.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the motive for the murder would be probed.
He also said the Independent Complaints Directorate had been notified about the case so it could conduct its independent investigations.
"We are also investigating whether there was negligence on the part of police," he said.
Mulaudzi said Mkhari and Nkuna were awaiting trial for burglary and Tshepo for two counts of rape.
"All four are now facing an additional charge of murder."
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