The bail application of Dakalo Nemangwele (34), accused of murdering his girlfriend, Ms Mudzunga Ramalata (29), and dumping her body in Kromdraai, Free State, was postponed again last week.
His hearing, which started on 11 April in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court, resumed on Wednesday, 4 June, but was adjourned to 30 June, pending a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether the case will be transferred to the High Court or the Regional Court. Nemangwele remains in custody.
The family of the victim has welcomed the refusal of bail. Family spokesperson Mr Livhuwani Ramalata said they had opposed bail from the start. "The case falls under gender-based violence and femicide, which has become a national crisis. The brutal murder of Mudzunga has angered the entire community of Mutale. All public structures are interested in seeing justice for her and all women subjected to GBV daily," he said.
Ms Ramalata was reported missing on 17 January at Moroka SAPS in Gauteng. Her body was discovered five days later in bushes along the N1 in Kromdraai, with multiple gunshot wounds. An emotional funeral was held in her home village of Dzimauli, Harambuda, Mutale, on 2 February.
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder. Nemangwele handed himself over to the police in Musina on 24 January. His alleged accomplice, Tshilisanani Mboweni, appeared alongside him in court on 27 January. A third suspect, Evans Mundalamo, was arrested on 22 January at his home in Tshamutumbu, Limpopo, where the police recovered two unlicensed firearms, including a hunting rifle with ammunition.
All three accused remain in custody as police investigations continue.