THE legal representatives of three brothers and their mum have accused the Mkhuhlu Magistrates Court of deliberately delaying their bail.
Gogo Yekelina Ubisi (74), Remember Ngovene (35), Jabulane Ngovene (46), and Venus Ngovene (33) appeared in court on Wednesday, 3 August. They were not asked to plead.
They were bust a week ago for being in possession of a suspected stolen VW Polo belonging to slain traffic cop, Thabo Mashego (35). Gogo is out on R500 bail.
Drama unfolded when public prosecutor Aurelia Makukule told the court that the state still needed more time to profile the brothers.
But the defence, Advocate December Ndlovu and attorney Power Mashele, argued that their clients were partially jailed unnecessarily.
“It would be unfair for the accused persons to be kept in custody for such a long time,” said Ndlovu.
Mashele said: “The state knew very well that the accused would appear in court today for bail applications.
“Why were they not profiled?”
Mpumalanga Hawks head, Major-General Zodwa Mokoena, said Mashego was driving with two passengers when they were hit by a hail of bullets, which hit him while the others escaped unharmed. “The assailants dragged Mashego from the car and sped off with it.”
She said emergency services later certified him dead.
“Nelspruit-based Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation team received information on 25 July that the hijacked car was seen parked at the back of a house at Agincourt in Bushbuckridge,” she said.
“The owner of the house, Yekelina Ubisi, was then arrested.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of Remember, Jabulane and Venus Ngovene.
“Further investigations revealed that Chris Maile can help finalise the investigation and he is, therefore, requested to come forward,” she said.
Anyone with information on Chris’ whereabouts should contact the investigator, Warrant Officer Vusi Mpangane on 082 469 1860, or Sergeant Vhusi Mpunzi on 071 481 3250.
The matter was postponed to 10 August.