Murder accused abandon bail

THE two men linked to the murder case of an Umzimkhulu couple, abandoned bail after appearing for the second time in the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Andani Monco (30) and Kwanele Ndlwana (22) did not give reasons as to why they chose not to apply for bail.
When they arrived in court, the accused hid their faces from the media photographers. Both wore sandals, long trousers and jackets. They refused to be represented by the state or a private attorney but magistrate Essack Riazz advised them to reconsider their decision, saying they face a serious case.

They are charged with two counts of murder and house robbery, after money was stolen from Ndumiso Jali (72) and his wife Noma-India Jali (70), who were then murdered. The murders took place in the Jali home in Bhoda village outside Umzimkhulu last month. Jali was a businessperson and a church leader in Umzimkhulu.
When the accused made their first appearance on March 5, the community of Umzimkhulu packed the gallery and others stood outside the court and waited for the outcome. The case was postponed to March 23.
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