The case for the fourth suspect linked to the murder of slain activist Loyiso Nkohla-Mabandla has been postponed for the last time in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court this week, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
This comes as the bail application of one of the murder accused, Mzubanzi Chulayo, was also postponed to July 24.
Chulayo and co-accused Zukile Tshabile and Mziyanda Mdlungu face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, the murder of Loyiso Nkohla, illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of ammunition.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: “(Chulayo’s) legal representative was not ready with his affidavit. The case for (Tshabile and Mdlungu) was postponed until 23 August 2024. The case for the outstanding suspect was postponed for the last time.”
Nkohla-Mabandla’s widow, Nyameka, had previously said she believed the delays and bail applications were a waste of the court’s time.
“It has placed strain on the family. I have two young children who will grow up without their father and for me, when I come (to court) every time, I’m grappling to understand why you would want to kill two young children’s parents when they are trying to make a living for their children and people of the community,” said Mabandla.
Nkohla-Mabandla died in a hail of bullets on April 17 last year at the Philippi railway station, where he was expected to attend a meeting in his role as an intermediary for talks to clear Metrorail’s Central Line where families had built their homes.
The court previously heard Tshabile was allegedly linked to the incident through another suspect, who hired him and others to kill the slain ANC Youth League leader – he was allegedly paid R20 000 for his involvement in the planned hit.
The alleged mastermind of the murder, Thobani Maxengana, died hours after his arrest while in police custody last year.
Cape Times