Gogo Maweni's brother-in-law Lindani Mgube was back in court today after his bail application was denied by the Vereeniging Magistrates Court yesterday. Mgube (33) is facing a double murder charge after the fatal shootings of gobela (traditional instructor), Faith Mafilika, and sangoma initiate Bandile Kubheka last year. Both the deceased were close to Gogo Maweni.

NEW BAIL APPLICATION 

Mgube's bail was denied yesterday with the presiding magistrate, Magistrate Rieta Willemse, saying that he failed to provide tangible reasons to support his bail application. State prosecutor Leanie Reiner told the court that two key witnesses were living in fear that something might happen to them due to whistleblowing. At his court appearance today, Mgube's legal representative, Rotenda Nthangeni, stepped down, and his matter was taken over by a new lawyer who re-applied for bail. The new representative stated that there were new facts that would assist in motivating bail, and the matter was transferred back to the bail court. He will be back in court on February 25 for arguments on new facts.

THE ARREST

Mgube was arrested on 31 January by the Gauteng Province Cold Case Investigation Unit. SA Police Service spokesperson Mavela Masondo said the two victims were shot dead last year in Orange Farm, with the first victim declared dead by the paramedics at the scene while the second was taken to the hospital and died not long after. Meanwhile, controversial blogger Musa Khawula briefly appeared before the Fochville Magistrates Court today on attempted murder charges. His case was postponed to 21 February for representation. Khawula abandoned his bail application last week. He is also due to appear in the Randburg Magistrates Court next week Tuesday on charges of defamation against Ze Nxumalo.