The two accused in the kidnapping saga of 19-year-old Zaid Kapadia from Sibasa in Thohoyandouhave abandoned their bail application. Phumudzo Chris Nemutudi and Thompho Mudau briefly appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrates' Court on Monday, 3 July. They are being charged with kidnapping, car hijacking, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
No reasons were given for their decision to abandon their bail application as one of the accused's legal representative, Advocate Ntsako Hlungwani, had indicated during their previous appearance that he would proceed with the formal bail application.
Nemutudi (27) and Mudau (25), both from Thohoyandou Block F, were arrested a few days after Kapadia was kidnapped on 16 June. He was on his way home from buying bread at a local shop in Mbilwi, Sibasa, when he was abducted.
Kapadia was held hostage while the accused demanded a R2 million ransom. During the ordeal, he was allegedly assaulted by his captors. He was rescued two days later (18 June) when the police, who were tracing a stolen vehicle at the same house in Ngovhela where Kapadia was being held hostage, happened to find him inside. Kapadia was tied up with a bag over his head. Upon the police's arrival, the suspects managed to jump over the wall and flee the scene, but they later handed themselves over to the police after their families insisted that they do so.
Before their appearance on Monday, communities from and around Thohoyandou, as well as different community structures and political organizations, marched from the local U Save Supermarket to the court. Waving their placards, the marchers sang and chanted anti-crime slogans. Indian businesspeople closed their businesses for the duration of the appearance.
An Indian youth leader, who preferred to remain anonymous, briefly spoke to the media outside the court. "We have no objection to the postponement, as long as they are kept locked up in the cells until the case is finalised. We closed our shops to show our total support for the family," he said.
The case was postponed to 8 September for further investigations. The accused remain in custody.