SILENCE Tivane (25) has abandoned his bail application, fearing for his life.
His lawyer Tshembo Mbhalati told the Mkhuhlu Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 9 March, that they abandoned bail after receiving threats from angry protesters outside the building.
“We decided to abandon bail in the meantime,” said Mbhalati.
He said the investigating officer and witness, who were supposed to confirm the alternative address, were not in court.
“If we could get hold of them, we will be proceeding with bail application,” he said.
Tivane was not asked to plead to the charges against him.
Public prosecutor Lindo Manana said he was accused of murdering Busi Sambo (20), the mum of his two-year-old daughter, by stabbing her repeatedly then slitting her throat. He then allegedly dumped her body in the bushes near Chayaza Senior Secondary School in Calcutta, outside Hazyview.
He was bust after pupils discovered the body of a woman three weeks ago, and alerted the police.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said cops were conducting their normal duties when a group of pupils notified them of the body.
“The woman’s clothes were covered in blood. Medical personnel also arrived at the scene, where she was certified dead. A murder case was opened and manhunt launched, leading to the father of her daughter,” he said.
He added that during the arrest, police found blood-stained clothes.
“The investigators also seized an item believed to be the weapon used in the murder,” Mohlala said.
The case has been postponed to 20 March for further investigation and formal bail application.
