FIVE suspects accused of kidnapping and murdering Bhekisizwe "Shakira" Nkosi have been granted bail by the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Thursday, 14 March.
Magistrate Katlego Mokoena said the state proposed that the suspects should not be given bail.
She said she also considered the statements of the investigating officer and the petition which was handed over to court by the community that the suspects should not be granted bail.
"The investigating officer has indicated that the suspects tried to evade the arrest despite several attempts to get them. The role played by Ekurhuleni Thatha-Zonke Anti-crime Unit is commended as they helped cops by handing over some of the suspects to the police station," she said.
Mokoena said the court should consider that the suspects have the right to get bail as they have not been found guilty before the law.
"The petition from the community was signed by 130 people and they stated that some of the suspects are allegedly drug dealers, however, there is no case that linked some of the suspects to such crime.
"I, therefore, grant R5 000 bail each to accused two, four, five, six, while accuse seven is released on warning," said Mokoena.
She gave the suspects strict bail conditions, instructing them not to contact the witnesses and intimidate them.
She also said the suspects should report to Ramokonopi cop shop from Monday to Friday.
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Mokoena said accused one and three will remain behind bars as they abandoned their bail applications.
Nokulunga Mazibili, one of the community members who was in court, said she is disappointed that the accused were granted bail.
"As the community, we support the family of the deceased and we understand the accused have the right to get bail. We feel bad that they received bail. All we need is justice for Bhekisizwe," she said.
The family spokesman who asked not to be named said the family is dissatisfied with the judgment ruling.
"We are extremely sad with the outcome because the Constitution of this country continues to give too many rights and protections to wrongdoers. The perpetrators of all the horrors, lawbreakers commit all these crimes knowing they won't face any consequences," said the spokesman.
He said the family has lost faith in the criminal justice. "How come the accused got bail after they allegedly murdered our son and brother and dumped him like a dog into a dam.
"Do people understand how it feels to be told you need to make funeral arrangements for your loved one in 24 hours? Do people understand how it feels for the mother to bury their son without being allowed to see him in a coffin because the body was extremely rotten? he asked.
Bhekisizwe from Thokoza, Ekurhuleni was allegedly kidnapped and killed on 25 December 2023. His body was found on 29 December 2023 in a dam in Thokoza.
The case was postponed to 3 May.
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