STATE SUCCESSFULLY OPPOSED BAIL IN A TRUCK BURNING CASE
The five men accused of burning trucks in Ermelo were denied bail by the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The court found that the state had a strong case against the accused and that the accused are a flight risk, it weighed against the accused circumstances, and the interest of justice and found no exceptional circumstances which permit their release on bail.
This is in connection with the burning of trucks incident, where four trucks were burnt in Ermelo in July this year. The state alleges that the accused robbed and burnt trucks used for the transportation of goods on the N2 national road, due to certain grievances in the transportation industry. The accused, Nelson Khulekani Shongwe (29), Sibusiso Emmanuel Mthethwa (38), Fundile Albert Mpondo (41), Mafika William Sibanda and Nkosikhona Gumede (27), who are members of the African Truck Drivers Association, are charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances, malicious damage to property, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The National Prosecuting Authority is satisfied with the courts denying the accused bail. We together with the police will work towards the finalisation of the investigation and transfer the matter to the trial court. The matter was postponed to 07 December 2023, for further investigations.
