The two suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Bethal Business owner, Bongani Manana have been released on bail.
Siswe Benedict Methule and Swangile Douglas Mashlangu appeared before the Bethal court on Thursday, 2 January on charges of murder.
Methule and Mashlangu applied for bail and were released on bail set at R5000 each.
During the bail application, more details emerged regarding the time when Bongani Manana was fatally wounded in the chest.
It would appear that an argument erupted between Manana and Methule near Bethal Dam. Manana proceeded towards Upper Echelon where the argument continued. It is alleged that Manana phoned his brother, Mashlangu to assist in the matter.
It is further alleged that when Mashlangu arrived at the scene he found the argument in full swing. Reports suggested that Methule directed his anger at Mashlangu and shots were exchanged between the two. 16 Shots were fired in total. Once the gunfire subsided, Manana was found with a gunshot wound in his chest. He succumbed to the chest injury according to preliminary reports.
During the bail application, Methule’s lawyer argued that even though the statement from Mashlangu points fingers at Methule, no evidence links Methule to the death of Manana at this stage.
The affidavit from the investigating officer stated that the two accused’s firearms were confiscated and send for ballistic analyses. Both firearms were legally registered to the two accused.
Witnesses to the incident were not asked to testify at the bail application and none of the evidence was tested under cross-examination as the trial has not yet commenced. It became clear that the docket is not ready for trial and that the investigation is still ongoing.
The bail conditions include that there should be no contact with any of the witnesses.
The Judge said that the accused had no previous convictions, nor did they pose any threat to the community. There are also no indications that they’ll commit another crime and that granting them bail will not disturb the peace.
He also mentioned that both accused had strong ties to Bethal and would not flee.
The case was postponed to early February.
Manana suspects out on bail
Crime Snippets
Quick response by police leads to arrest
A quick response by police in Mpumalanga has led to the arrest of a 57-year-old woman, who was found in possession of drugs.
Reports revealed that on Sunday, 5 January, police in Mmamethlake were on duty patrolling as one of the relentless efforts in ensuring that the public is and feel safe under the theme “Zizojika Izinto – Turning the tide against crime”.
The police received information from members of the public about a woman who was selling drugs in the area, which she had allegedly purchased in Gauteng.
The members swiftly responded to the information and traced the suspect. They located the woman and found her alighting from a taxi carrying a handbag when they approached and stopped her. Police proceeded to search her and found her in possession of about 800 plastic sachets containing drugs suspected to be nyaope and some were also wrapped in a doek.
The street value thereof is estimated to be about R24 000-00. The woman was immediately arrested and charged with possession of drugs as well as dealing in drugs. She appeared at Mbibana Magistrates Court on Monday, 6 January.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, expressed his disappointment in the woman’s involvement in such a criminal act. “I strongly condemn this reckless act as we expect members of the community to assist the police and government in the fight against the scourge of substance abuse by not dealing in or support businesses that deal in drugs as this has proven to have a negative impact in many communities more so affecting the young ones”.
The General has further applauded members of the public for the valuable information that they provided to the police, which has led to the woman’s arrest. General Zuma also thanked the police for their swift response to the information.
MEC shocked by attacks on women over the last seven days
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Ms Gabisile Shabalala believes the new year started badly for the province particularly in the fight against gender-based violence following the recent attacks on women across various parts of the province.
Shabalala noted with great shock the recent incident where two people were killed in Pienaar by a 38-year-old police officer stationed at Kabokweni. The third person sustained injuries while trying to intervene during the scuffle. The incident took place on Sunday, 29 December 2019, in Pienaar while the suspect was visiting a lady believed to be his girlfriend.
He has since been arrested and he has been charged with two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
In another matter, a 28-year-old woman and her daughter believed to be only four years old were reportedly raped in Machadodorp. A man, 35, was nabbed by the police on Friday, 27 December 2019, in connection with the incident.
It is reported that the suspect initially went to visit the victims where they stay. He later took out a knife, threatened the mother and daughter and directed them to one of the rooms, where he, allegedly, raped both of them.
Police were made aware of the incident by one of the community members who became suspicious after seeing the suspect fleeing from the house.
The police immediately rushed to the house and confirmed the details of the incident.
In another case, the lifeless body of a woman, 25, was found in Tweefontein near Zamani Primary in an open field after the community alerted the police. The incident took place on Saturday, 28 December 2019, in the morning. The police rushed to the scene and upon arrival, discovered the body of a woman with multiple stab wounds. No arrests have been made in this regard.
MEC Shabalala has further pleaded with the police to ensure that all these cases are thoroughly investigated so that the culprits are made to pay for the pain they have caused to the victims and their families.
She added that communities who may have any information regarding these and other cases of crime or abuse to report to the police so that the suspects are arrested and accordingly punished.
“We must report abuse to the police. We want abusers to rot in jail so that women and children can walk and live freely without fear of being attacked. Our courts should not grant these perverts bail and once convicted they should be given lengthy jail terms. We need our communities in the ongoing war against gender-based violence.
“Condemning these incidences only will not help but all stakeholders and communities must act and work together to win the war on GBV and other crimes,” Shabalala said.
The MEC went further by encouraging women to walk away from abusive boyfriends and partners and not wait until it is too late.
Shabalala has pleaded for more support to survivors of abuse by all stakeholders and communities so that they do not feel more victimised.
MEC Shabalala is meanwhile sending condolences to all the affected families of abuse across the province saying that government will continue to do all in its might to bring an end to the scourge of abuse in communities.
30 year old man shot and killed, suspect sought by police
Police in Mpumalanga are looking for a suspect in connection with a case of murder in which a 30-year-old man, Dwyne Nguyuza, was murdered at Thulamahashe near Bushbuckridge. The incident took place on 31 December 2019, at midnight.
Reports indicated that the 30-year-old man was celebrating New Year’s Eve with his wife and family at their home in Thulamahashe when an unknown man entered their yard with a firearm. After entering, the suspect shot the man several times and then went on to shoot the wife before fleeing the scene.
The man and his wife were rushed to the nearby clinic for medical assistance. In the process, police were summoned to the scene as well, unfortunately, the man was certified dead on arrival at the clinic.
However, the woman was moved to hospital for medical treatment where she is recovering.
A case of murder as well as attempted murder have been opened and the Detectives have already commenced with their investigation. The motive for the killing is unknown at this stage and there is no arrest made yet.
The police are appealing for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect to call Detective Captain Alfred Mashele on 0829684153
Members of the public can also call 10111 or send sms’s to 32211 for any crime-related information. Alternatively, the public can download MYSAPSAPP to anonymously send valuable information to the police.
Double murder police constable remanded in custody
A 38-year-old off duty Police Constable, stationed at Kabokweni who has been arrested for two counts of murder and attempted murder has been remanded in custody.
Constable Bonginkosi Malinga was not asked to plea during his first appearance but appeared again on Friday, 3 January, for a formal bail application.
The arrest of Malinga came after Sunday, 29 December 2019, when police received information about a shooting incident where three people were shot.
The information further indicated that the suspect involved is a police officer. The police on duty went to investigate and discovered that the suspect involved was indeed a police officer who, in an actual fact, went to Pienaar to visit a lady friend, Goodness Mhaule (34) but found her in the company of another man, who was identified as Sibusiso Justice Khoza (31).
The report which was gathered at the scene suggested that the cause of the shooting was a result of a heated argument which ensued within the circle and subsequently, Malinga allegedly drew out his service firearm and shot at Khoza.
He then went on a shooting rampage where he fatally shot Mhaule as she was running towards her parents’ house for help as well as her brother, who was trying to intervene during the commotion.
Police and Medical personnel were summoned to the scene where both Mhaule and Khoza were certified dead. The suspect was immediately arrested whilst the brother, who sustained injuries during the shooting was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
Malinga appeared on 31 December 2019, at Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court facing two counts of murder and attempted murder.
The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has welcomed the remanding of the suspect in custody. He further mentioned that an internal disciplinary action against the member is underway meanwhile, IPID will proceed with the criminal investigation.
Bulletin wins defamation case
Victory for The Bulletin in a R1,2M Defamation of Character case. The Bulletin was sued for an astronomical amount of R1,2M after an article was placed in April 2018 when a baboon was shot.
The Bulletin reported extensively on the handling of the matter, especially by the SPCA and their senior inspector at the time, Jenneth Geel.
There was a keen public interest in the matter and a huge public outcry at the eventual shooting of the baboon.
Senior Inspector Jenneth Geel, in her capacity, subsequently sued The Bulletin for R1.2m stating that the article was defamatory, premised on the following and accompanying sting:
That the plaintiff (Jenneth Geel) is heartless, ruthless, careless, confrontational and without moral fibre and is, in fact, an enemy of animals contrary to her position as SPCA inspector.
That the plaintiff has gone against and failed to uphold her duty to protect animals following her position as SPCA inspector.
That the plaintiff cruelly executed an animal without exhausting other options.
Inferring that the plaintiff did not take the interests of the animal into consideration contrary to her position as SPCA inspector and that the plaintiff lied about the condition and circumstances of the animal and incident.
The matter was set down for trial in the Middelburg High Court on 26/27 August 2019.
In her judgment, High Court Judge Mali said: “The pertinent question to ask is what an ordinary reader of The Bulletin would have understood in reading the article. The readers would have understood that the SPCA failed to protect animal rights as expected. Furthermore, Ms. Geel gave the order to shoot an escaped baboon. By virtue of her position as Senior Inspector at the SPCA, she is the face of the organisation. It is very correct and prudent that the article had to carry her photograph.”
At the time of publication, Jenneth Geel was contacted twice by Gwendie Venter, reporter at The Bulletin at the time, to verify the facts and to give her an opportunity to comment. Geel declined the opportunity.
The Bulletin used a sentence that said: “The protector of animal rights turned into the hunter”.
Judge Mali also found that the word “hunter” to be adequately utilised in a context dealing with animals.
“From the above, it is found that there is nothing defamatory about the article. As a result, the plaintiff’s claim ought not to succeed.” Judge Mali concluded.
Jenneth Geel vented her anger on social media after the publication of the article and made defamatory statements of her own regarding The Bulletin’s editor stating that he should have been flushed down the drain before the cells divided. The social media post makes more remarks, including that the article is a pack of lies, that it is defamatory and a counterclaim was lodged. This claim succeeded.
Judge Mali said in her judgment: “Defences to defamation have been referred to above. Anger, forgetfulness and stress are not one of them. The reader of the Facebook Bulletin News would have thought little of the Chief Editor of The Bulletin news. Ms. Geel’s words cannot be turned around to mean anything except that she does not even see Mr van Huyssteen as a human being. She portrays him as something, not just anything, but a useless object not meant to exist at all. She hailed serious insults at him, something that would have left the readers pondering whether Mr van Huyssteen is in the right state of mind as an insulting reference is made about the size of his mind.”
“Ms. Geel proved to be an unreliable and evasive witness who shifted the blame to stress and forgetfulness.” Judge Mali said.