After the media waited for the whole day while court officials were sorting the confusing between the courts and which magistrate was supposed to sit on which court, the bail hearing of the six men accused of allegedly hijacking and then murdering a Kaizer Chiefs player proceeded.
The family of the accused waited in vain while the late Luke Fleurs' family wanted to hear the outcome of the matter. On Thursday the six accused, all from Slovoville are in custody Ndumiso Ndura Moswane (26), Fernando Nando Sive (25), Nhlakanipho Dlamini (21), Franky Xaba (25), Maredi Mphahlele (36) and Thembinkosi Hlanikhawu(31) made their bail applications at Roodepoort Magistrates Court.
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Luke Fluers was shot dead during an alleged hijacking at a petrol station near Honey Dew in Roodepoort, west of Joburg in early April, the now accused were arrested seven days after the incident. Luke had just signed with Kaizer Chiefs and was waiting to be attended to at the gas station when he was shot. He was taken to the hospital and was declared dead on arrival.
The police spokesperson Mavela Masondo says the attackers fled with Fleurs' car after they pointed him with a firearm, took him out of his car the allegedly shot him once in the upper body. One of the hijackers drove off with Luke’s car followed by the accomplices.
In the previous appearance, the matter was postponed because some of the accused did not have legal representatives.
They are facing charges of murder with a common purpose, robbery aggravating circumstances, and obstruction of the admin of justice, and they are acquitted of possession of firearms and possession of ammunition charges.
The six appeared on 25 April 2024 before Magistrate Delise Smith with Advocate Ingrid Moinole – representing accused one-three – and Advocate Shibu Molefe for accused four-six.
It is stated in their affidavits that all accused do not intend to plead guilty. While the five are first-time offenders, it has been revealed in court that accused number six has previous convictions.
State prosecutor Advocate Paseka Temeki told the court that the possession of firearms and possession of ammunition charges were struck off the roll and bail of R 1000 was granted for each accused.
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Accused number Ndumiso in his affidavit says the state’s case against him is weak and can’t prove that he hijacked and killed the late defender. Fernado from Slovoville South of Joburg is employed as a panel beater and confirmed to the court that he can afford the bail amount. Accused number Nhlakanipho is also from Slovoville and a student at Gauteng City College, in his affidavit he says he never resisted arrest and he doesn’t have any previous convictions.
The matter will come back in court in May, it has been postponed for the state to verify aspects of the information contained in their bail affidavits. The accused remains in custody.
