One setback after another seems to befall accused Limpopo comedian and businessman Livhuwani Madadzhe, popularly known as SABC Livhu. The 38-year-old, who stands accused of his wife's murder, was supposed to have started with his bail application at the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Tuesday (14 March), but much to the disappointment of those in the courtroom and the crowds that had gathered outside, the case was postponed again.
Before his appearance, hundreds of people, affiliated to different structures and led by a contingent of policemen, marched through the streets of Thohoyandou, waving their placards.
The court proceedings could not start on time because of load shedding, but when the power was restored, the police had their hands full trying to control the large number of people who tried to gain entry to the courtroom.
At first, two representatives from each structure were allowed to attend, but because so many different structures had shown up, they were limited to only one representative per structure.
Unlike Madadzhe's previous appearances, where he looked resigned and forlorn, he oozed confidence and was in high spirits on Tuesday. His legal representative, Advocate Ntsako Hlungwani, dressed in one of his colourful suits, presented his application in the form of a written affidavit. The six-page document was read by Hlungwani on his client's behalf and was accepted by the court. However, the state applied for a further postponement to study the long document, and the date for the bail application was postponed again to 27 and 28 March. This in effect means that Madadzhe will have to wait two more weeks before he will know his fate.
In the affidavit, he pleads with the court to release him on bail, citing, among other things, the appalling prison conditions. He also points out that he needs to look after his five children; something he can only accomplish when his businesses are running. He assures the court that he is not a flight risk and that he is prepared to relocate to Gauteng, should he be released on bail, pending the finalisation of his case. He further indicates that he is going to plead not guilty to the charges as he has nothing to do with his wife's death.
Hlungwani said he was confident that his client would be granted bail.
Madadzhe was arrested shortly after the body of his wife, Lindelani Nengovhela, also known as Mme a Muofhe, was found in a water-filled trench in their yard on 28 January this year.
Only a day before her murder, Lindelani had withdrawn the charges of assault GBH she had laid against the comedian in November 2022. In celebration of this, the couple had reportedly threw a party at their house. Hours later, her body was discovered.