His alleged accomplice, 32-year-old Sekwetje Mahlamba, hasn’t emerged as victorious from proceedings in Senekal with Magistrate Deon van Rooyen denying him bail. OFM News’ Olebogeng Motse reports on Van Rooyen’s reasoning behind his ruling.

In the case of Matlaletsa’s bail application, Van Rooyen says the state does not have a strong case against accused number 2, adding there is no direct material evidence linking Matlaletsa to the crime he is charged with. Furthermore, the DNA analyses of the bloodstains found in Horner’s bakkie which were conducted at a private lab, were inconclusive with regards to accused number 2. The Magistrate is satisfied that the 44-year-old is not a flight risk as alleged by the state because he has fixed property and immovable property in Paul Roux, with no familial ties in Lesotho as alluded to by investigator Pieter Myburgh in his testimony.

Van Rooyen finds in accused number 1’s case that there is significant evidence that points to him playing a role in the crime, and emphasised releasing him, wouldn’t be in the interest of justice. The bloodstained pants that are still being examined by forensics, were found on Mahlamba’s shared property. In addition to this, when he was probed on why the pants had bloodstains, he claimed to have attended a ceremony at “Pinky’s” house where he helped slaughter an animal. Pinky said this was untrue when probed by the police.

This is a developing story.

OFM News