Murder accused Sibongiseni Ngubane was denied bail by the Rustenburg Magistrates Court in the North West on Thursday. Ngubane is facing a charge of premeditated murder in the death of businessman Ben Gumb. Gumbi (49) was shot dead by two men outside a popular cofee shop in Rustenburg in August.

BAIL DENIED

North West National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Henry Mamothame said that the state argued strongly against the granting of bail after consulting with the investigating officer Colonel Patric Murungwa. Mamothame said that state prosecutor, Faith Mogaki argued that the state has a strong case against the accused. "In her corroboration, Mogaki indicated that the accused' fingerprints were discovered on the vehicle that was used in the commission of the crime and further said that he was identified by witnesses in an identity parade. The state also highlighted the fact that the accused voluntarily did the pointing out of the scene as well confessing, even though he argued that he did all of that involuntary as he alleges the police assaulted him," he said. The state successfully opposed his bail application.

RUTHLESS MURDER 

Mamothame said that the Magistrate Tshenolo Mekgwe agreed with the state and denied Ngubane (33) bail. He said that according to the police, Ngubane was arrested by members of a multi-disciplinary team, which was established after the ruthless murder of Gumbi. "He was arrested on 12 September 2023 in Germiston after attending a court case in which he is facing a charge of armed robbery wherein he is out on R3 000 bail. He also has a pending case of possession of a firearm and ammunition in Alberton, wherein he was granted an R1 000 bail," he said. "The suspects then fled the scene with a blue Volkswagen Polo car which was found a few minutes after the incident abandoned at the corner of Helen Joseph and Lourie Streets. The car was confirmed to have been stolen and the number plates that were on the car were false. Police investigations are still underway to track down three other suspects who are believed to be on the run," he said. The matter was postponed to 09 January 2024 for further police investigations.