THREE MEN ACCUSED OF KILLING DITEBOGO PHAHLANE ABANDONS BAIL
Three men from Soshanguve South, Elia Moeko (36), Ali Sithole (30) and Nido Gumbe (29), briefly appeared at the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court. They are all facing a charge of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. In addition, Gumbe who is a Mozambican national, is facing a charge of being illegal in the country. It is alleged that on 10 May 2024, the three shot and killed a 5-year-old boy, Ditebogo Phalane, when they were robbing his father, Tebogo Phalane of his vehicle. After investigations by the Directorate of Priority Crime Detection led by Major General Khumalo, the three were arrested at Pretoria Moot Police Station on 23 May 2024, where they were kept in custody for other unrelated charges.
In court, the three abandoned their bail application and disclosed to the court that they had pending cases. Moeko has a pending case of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition while Sithole has a pending case at Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court that will appear on 28 June 2024, where he is facing charges of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, attempted murder, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He also has a pending case at Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court, where he is facing charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition. Furthermore, Gumbe also has a pending case at Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court where he is facing charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition.
This matter was postponed to 27 August 2024, for further investigations and a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
