Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
30 September 2025
Police officer Gert Buti Lebitsi (43), stationed at eMbalenhle, appeared before the Evander Magistrate’s Court today for the finalisation of his bail hearing and was granted bail of R4,000.
Lebitsi faces four charges:
- Two counts of defeating the administration of justice,
- One count of theft, and
- One count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
One of the charges allegedly links him to the 2021 assassination of Kinross taxi owner, Fani Khumalo, who was shot dead outside his home. Investigators allege Lebitsi was in possession of the R5 rifle used in the killing.
During his arrest, Lebitsi was allegedly found with a 9mm firearm and ammunition, now undergoing forensic testing. Investigating officer Sgt Zwane testified that Lebitsi had directed police to places where he claimed the R5 rifle was hidden, but the weapon was never recovered.
Zwane had opposed bail, citing threats made against witnesses, one of whom has already relocated to another province for safety.
The defense argued that the case was fabricated, pointing to missing docket pages and alleging that Lebitsi had been assaulted before his arrest, allegedly hung from a tree and choked until he required hospitalization.
The state maintained that Lebitsi failed to disclose prior convictions, including fraud and defeating the ends of justice and presented a petition from the community opposing his release.
However, the magistrate ruled that the state had not proven why bail should be denied, and set bail at R4,000.
The case was postponed for further proceedings.e and choked to a point where he landed in hospital.
The state submitted that the accused failed to disclose his previous conviction, which includes fraud and defeating the ends of justice. State also submitted a petition from the community who would be outraged if the accused be realeased on bail.
The matter was posponed for trial.
