Great excitement was in the air at the Malamulele Magistrate's Court on Friday, 7 October, when Wiseman Baloyi, one of the five people accused of being involved in the murder of the late Collins Chabane mayor, Moses Maluleke, was denied bail.
Baloyi was the only one of the accused who had applied for bail. His co-accused, Shumani Nemadodzi, Avhatakali Mulaudzi, Isaac Mudau and Tshianeo Munyai, had all abandoned their bail applications over the course of their appearances.
The five men have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
During Baloyi's application for bail, he testified that he was the sole breadwinner at home and needed to look after his three children and his wife, which was disputed by the State, who argued that the case against the accused was too strong and that the accused would not be safe, should he be granted bail. The court remarked that no exceptional circumstances to warrant his release on bail had been provided and that the interest of justice did not permit his release.
The late mayor's brother, Mr Eitken Maluleke, praised the court's decision to refuse Baloyi bail. "The family members are happy. We believe the refusal of bail is a step in the right direction and towards closure," he said.
The hundreds of community members who were barred from entering the court premises sang and danced happily in front of the entrance gate on hearing the court's decision not to grant Baloyi bail.
The case was postponed to 29 May 2023 and transferred to the Polokwane High Court. All the accused remain in custody.