STATE TO OPPOSE BAIL IN A TRUCK TORCHING INCIDENT
The five men who allegedly torched trucks in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu -Natal and Limpopo, have made their second court appearance before the Ermelo Magistrates’ Court today. Nelson Khulekani Shongwe (29), Sibusiso Emmanuel Mthethwa (38) , Fundile Alberta Mpondo(41), Mafika William Sibanda(61), and Nkosingiphile Nkosikhona Gumede (27), who are members of the African Truck Drivers Forum, are charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances, malicious injury to property, conspiracy to commit crime of malicious injury to property and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The accused appeared for verification of addresses and bail application today, the state was ready to proceed, but the defence requested for the postponement in preparation for bail application. All parties agreed and postponed the case to 10 August 2023, for a formal bail application. Due to the seriousness of the offences the accused are charged with, the state will oppose bail. This relates to the incident which happened early this month, where 21 trucks were burnt in the provinces.The state alleges that the accused conspired, and damaged trucks used for the transportation of goods on the N2 National road due to certain grievances in the transporting industry.
The accused are remanded in custody pending the outcome of their application.
