On Thursday the EFF and ANC attended McKenzie Raletsane's bail application at the Bloemfontein Regional Court in show of solidarity to his wife, Dimakatso Folotsi-Raletsane. 

Members of the ANC Women's League (ANCWL) in Mangaung, Vuyelwa Budaza, tells OFM News that McKenzie should not be granted bail because he is deceitful and poses a serious danger to women. 

Meanwhile, EFF provincial chairperson, Mandisa Makesini, says McKenzie is not showing any remorse and further says the suspect is arrogant and intimidating.

"We have also seen the weapon that he used to stab (Mme) Ratselane. We don't think if he can get bail the family of (Mme) Mrs Dimakatso will be safe at all.  The man is still angry, he doesn't show any remorse and we hope the state will keep him in jail until he gets sentenced," she adds.

She says they were surprised by McKenzie's move to apply for bail.  

The bail application proceeding was adjourned on Thursday and will continue on Friday.

OFM News previously reported that the suspect in February, during his second appearance, abandoned his bail application. His trial is set for 7-8 September 2021 at the Regional Court. 

McKenzie wants to be released on bail. In an affidavit given to the court, he states that his alleged "funeral parlour" is on the brink of collapse and according to him, two employees could lose their jobs. But the state witness says he was reliably informed by Folotsi-Ratselane that the business was a joint venture and has since been dysfunctional since 2019 due to a lack of resources, including cars and the building for the operation of the business.

He refuted allegations by the state that he evaded the law. He said he simply left for Gauteng to seek counsel from his elders to fix what he termed as marital issues with the victim. 

The state says McKenzie has strong family ties in the neighbouring country of Lesotho and Botswana and if given bail he could again evade the law. 

He was arrested on 16 February 2021 at an informal settlement in Ennerdale in Gauteng after he was on the run for six days.

OFM News