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Last week Friday, the Johannesburg Central Magistrates Court denied bail for Sithabiso Cyprian Memela and Melusi Mkhwuanazi, who stand accused of murdering JMPD Officer D.A Ratshikhopha when he tried to stop them from hijacking a mini bus taxi in Booysens on 13 February2018.
Officers from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and I attended the court proceedings held on Wednesday (18 April 2018).
During the heated court arguments, Senior Prosecutor Ms. Colleen Ryan argued that bail should be denied as the two accused are facing serious criminal charges as contained in Schedule Six of the Criminal Procedures Act and if convicted, could face life in imprisonment.
Although the lawyers for the accused argued that neither of their clients had any previous convictions and are not a flight risk, it was revealed by the prosecutor that accused number one, Sithabiso Cyprian Memela, has a pending case where he is charged for possession of a stolen vehicle.
After hearing arguments from the lawyers representing the accused as well as from the prosecutor, Presiding Magistrate L. Chetty ordered the matter be remanded to Friday, 20 April 2018 for her ruling.
Bail was denied on Friday morning by Magistrate Chetty.
As the City, we fully welcome the ruling to deny bail to the two murder suspects and we will continue to cooperate with the SAPS to ensure that the prosecution has a strong case to fight.
We will not sleep until the third suspect whom is still on the run is apprehended and brought to court to face the full might of the law.
The court case resumes on 7 June 2018.
For more details please contact:
Luyanda Longwe
Stakeholder Manager: Office of the MMC for Public Safety
luyandalo@joburg.org.za
061 4960 536
