Bail opposed in ANC official's murder
2013-03-04 12:04
Klerksdorp - The State opposed bail in the Klerksdorp
Magistrate's Court on Monday for eight men accused of murdering ANC North West
official Obuti Chika.
Prosecutor Riekie Krause said if the men were released,
local residents would be shocked and outraged. Several of them had also failed
to disclose previous criminal convictions or pending cases.
Chika, 33, was shot point-blank range in the driveway of his
Klerksdorp home on 14 December. He died in a local hospital.
North West local government MEC China Dodovu is among the
eight accused.
Strong case
"The State has a strong case against the applicant
[Dodovu]," Krause said.
She said he had three passports: one diplomatic and two
personal ones.
Another accused, Sihlangu Sekhakhane, had previously
confessed to the crime. He had also led police to his gun.
Krause said forensics had later matched the bullets which
killed Chika to this gun.
The other six accused are community member Jeffrey Letuka,
North West provincial ANC Youth League chairperson Papiki Baboile, ward
secretary Paul Molomonyane, councillor Itumeleng Molebatsi, municipal worker
William Malefo, and taxi driver Kgotso Kali.
The court heard that Sekhakhane had claimed to have met Kali
in a BMW X5 shortly before the crime.
Kali allegedly told him that, before he could attend the
African National Congress's conference in Mangaung, in December, Chika had to
be killed.
Krause confirmed that Baboile owned a BMW X5.
She told the court an unnamed witness had also confirmed to
the State that some of the eight had previously discussed murdering Chika
during a meeting.
Krause said bail was also being opposed because some of the
applicants knew "witness X".
- SAPA
