A CAPE Town cop and his brother have appeared in the Athlone Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 20 February.
The two face charges of kidnapping and murder of a taxi owner, Sipho Ganeka (35). The brothers appeared for a bail application following their arrest and brief appearance last week.
Sergeant Siyabonga Mfanase (42), who's attached to the Athlone police, appeared in connection with the murder. Sipho was a friend of the cop’s brother, Vika Mfanase (28).
According to Sipho's girlfriend Amanda Makhwezi, on the day of the murder on 6 February, her boyfriend parked his taxi at about 10pm and told her he was going to chill with his friend Vika.
After an hour, Amanda heard noises outside which sounded like a heated argument between Sipho, Vika and his cop brother.
According to the affidavit read in court, Amanda heard her boyfriend saying they must put the gun down so that they settle matters with fists. What followed were gunshots, and Sipho calling his girlfriend to come out.
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The affidavit further reads that the cop threatened to hurt Amanda and force her to go back inside the house as two other men came in and dragged Sipho away.
At about 3am on the following day, Vika knocked at Amanda’s house telling her that he had “parted ways” with her boyfriend.
Vika was then arrested and detained at Philippi East cop shop in connection with the disappearance of Sipho. Siyabonga went to the cop shop, asking about the whereabouts of his brother.
The investigating officer said he asked him if he had a firearm and the cop confirmed that he had one in the car. He went out and saw the officer’s blue Audi vehicle.
The body was found on Russel Street in the district near the city centre. The affidavit stated that a witness told cops that he had seen a man being shot inside the boot of a blue Audi, and he also supplied the number plates.
The affidavit that was read in court further stated that when the investigating officer checked the licence plate recognition of the Audi was placed at the murder scene. The bail hearing will continue on Thursday, 22 February.
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