Policeman opposes bail for Mkhize suspects
29 July 2010, 23:39
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize's life would be in danger if five men accused of plotting to kill him were released on bail, the Pinetown Magistrate's Court heard on Thursday.
"All the accused are flight risks. The life of the premier will also be in danger," investigating officer Inspector Sbusiso Zungu told the court during their bail application.
Sizwe Mkhize, Themba Xaba and Jackson Chili, both aged 30, Mlungisi Xulu, 24, and Sthembiso Mthembu, 26, were arrested in April while allegedly on their way to kill Mkhize.
The five face charges of possession of illegal firearms and ammunition and conspiracy to commit murder.
Giving reasons for the accused not to be granted bail, Zungu said all five could immediately leave the country if granted bail.
He described the state's case against them as "water tight".
"We have witnesses who implicate the applicants and we will provide evidence showing that the conspiracy to murder was properly planned," he said.
Zungu said if Mkhize was given bail, he would go to his Pietermaritzburg home, thus putting the life of the premier at risk, as he also lived in the city.
The two Mkhizes are not related.
Mkhize was also involved in a plot to kill the premier in 2007, he said.
Xaba was also likely to leave the country.
"He is not the kind of a person you can trust. He gave us the wrong work address and he also knows the witnesses," said Zungu.
Xaba had told investigators he worked for Prince Melizwe Dlamini, who recently made headlines when he demanded to be afforded the same status as Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.
Zungu said Chili had given the police a wrong name when he was arrested.
"He said he was Jackson Chili, but when I checked his fingerprints I found that he was Thami Shangase," said Zungu.
Asked why he had two different names and surnames, Chili told the court his real name was Thami Shangase and that he needed to perform a certain traditional ritual before he used it.
Zungu said Chili was likely to give himself another name and surname and make it difficult to locate him if he disappeared.
All the accused except Mkhize refused to divulge the reason why they were heading to Pietermaritzburg when they were arrested.
Mkhize told the court they were going to a police station in Pietermaritzburg. He told the court on Wednesday he worked as an informer for the police.
Zungu on Thursday told the court he had been told Mkhize was not a police spy.
The bail hearing continues on August 6. - Sapa
"All the accused are flight risks. The life of the premier will also be in danger," investigating officer Inspector Sbusiso Zungu told the court during their bail application.
Sizwe Mkhize, Themba Xaba and Jackson Chili, both aged 30, Mlungisi Xulu, 24, and Sthembiso Mthembu, 26, were arrested in April while allegedly on their way to kill Mkhize.
The five face charges of possession of illegal firearms and ammunition and conspiracy to commit murder.
Giving reasons for the accused not to be granted bail, Zungu said all five could immediately leave the country if granted bail.
He described the state's case against them as "water tight".
"We have witnesses who implicate the applicants and we will provide evidence showing that the conspiracy to murder was properly planned," he said.
Zungu said if Mkhize was given bail, he would go to his Pietermaritzburg home, thus putting the life of the premier at risk, as he also lived in the city.
The two Mkhizes are not related.
Mkhize was also involved in a plot to kill the premier in 2007, he said.
Xaba was also likely to leave the country.
"He is not the kind of a person you can trust. He gave us the wrong work address and he also knows the witnesses," said Zungu.
Xaba had told investigators he worked for Prince Melizwe Dlamini, who recently made headlines when he demanded to be afforded the same status as Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.
Zungu said Chili had given the police a wrong name when he was arrested.
"He said he was Jackson Chili, but when I checked his fingerprints I found that he was Thami Shangase," said Zungu.
Asked why he had two different names and surnames, Chili told the court his real name was Thami Shangase and that he needed to perform a certain traditional ritual before he used it.
Zungu said Chili was likely to give himself another name and surname and make it difficult to locate him if he disappeared.
All the accused except Mkhize refused to divulge the reason why they were heading to Pietermaritzburg when they were arrested.
Mkhize told the court they were going to a police station in Pietermaritzburg. He told the court on Wednesday he worked as an informer for the police.
Zungu on Thursday told the court he had been told Mkhize was not a police spy.
The bail hearing continues on August 6. - Sapa
Durban
