ANC MP Sibusiso Kula's bid to have the murder case against him struck off the roll has been rejected by the court. Kula is accused of killing his wife Jennifer Mothlomi in November last year. 

FURTHER INVESTIGATION 

Kula's defence told the court that they will register a review application following the Judgement. They have also requested to be furnished with a list of witnesses, as ordered by the high court when it granted him bail. In their application, they argued that his rights were not explained to him when he was arrested, and thus can be used against him in a subsequent trial. They further questioned the charges levelled against their client. The state prosecutor, Advocate Phuti Sekoadi, opposed the application and argued that the matter is still under investigation and that the current charges are properly drafted, as they are in line with the evidence in the docket."When investigations are completed, the state will decide whether the charges should be amended. I urge the court to dismiss the application as it had no bearing on the charges levelled against the accused," Sekoadi told the court.

ON LOCKDOWN 

Kula is currently out on R50 000 bail, granted by the High Court of South Africa North West Division, following his appeal on the Orkney Magistrates Court decision to deny him bail. He was ordered to surrender his passports, report twice a day at the nearest police station, provide the investigating officer with his work itinerary, and report to the investigating officer if he must move outside his residential jurisdiction and have no direct or indirect contact with his children. Meanwhile, an application submitted to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, for the matter to be transferred to a higher court, owing to its serious nature, is awaiting the finalisation of investigations. NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame said investigations are nearing completion as the state prepares for trial.

LINKED TO THE MURDER 

Kula was only arrested in January this year after police investigations linked him to the alleged murder. He is expected back in court on 30 June 2023 for the murder charge. It is alleged that Kula's wife, Jennifer Mohlomi, was found murdered on 27 November 2022, in what seemed like a robbery. She was found with a stab wound on her back but the object that was used for her alleged murder has not been recovered. The matter was reported by the medical facility where she was allegedly transported by the accused to receive medical attention. The accused told the police that he was not present at his home when the incident occurred.