TWO men accused of murdering well-known activist Loyiso Nkohla-Mabandla abandoned their bail application when they appeared in the Athlone Magistrates Court on Monday, 4 March.
Mziyanda Mdlungu (38) and Mzubanzi Chulayo (41) were supposed to apply for bail, but the court heard that they decided against proceeding with the bail.
Loyiso’s widow, Nyameka Mabandla, welcomed the developments, saying that the men are dangerous and must remain behind bars.
“It’s a bit of a sigh of relief because I think they were just taking chances. I don’t know what made them decide to abandon their bail application. They should continue abandoning the bail. They don’t deserve to roam our streets.
“We don’t need more criminals and murderers at this point. I’m glad they're staying behind bars. We need to see justice. Loyiso didn’t wrong anyone. They must remain behind bars until the trial starts and concludes,” she said.
ALSO READ: Uthando ne 'stress': MaKhumalo wants peace!
The suspects changed their minds and will join accused number one, Zukisa Tshabile (38), who first abandoned his bail in 2023.
The three accused will appear in court on 28 March.
Loyiso was murdered on 17 April 2023 while he was addressing a community meeting in Philippi.
Since then, cops have managed to track the suspected killers, while the alleged mastermind, Thobani Maxengana Maxengana, died in jail cells in East London on 16 November, after he was arrested on the previous day.
In November 2023, it was disclosed in court that Loyiso’s murder was pre-meditated.
The prosecutor told the court that the suspects, together with the deceased mastermind, held a meeting where they planned to murder Loyiso and Nyameka.
Phone records, bank transactions and more information secured by the cops suggest that the suspects were paid R20 000 each for their roles in Loyiso's murder.
