Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
06 February 2025
Sifiso Michael Nkosi reappeared before the Evander Magistrate Court on Thursday, 06 February 2025, for a bail judgment.
Nkosi has been in custody since November 2024 after he was arrested in Potchefstroom for allegedly shooting at his girlfriend, who is a police constable, and Siyabonga Nkomo, who later died in the hospital.
The court heard during Nkosi’s bail hearing that the victim who survived the shooting incident visited Nkosi in prison, which the investigation officer thinks is the reason why the victim is no longer cooperating with the police.
During final arguments, the state argued that should Nkosi be released on bail, he will easily influence the victim since they are in a domestic relationship.
When handing down bail judgment, the court took into consideration that the accused did not call an ambulance or the police after the incident.
The magistrate referred to what the investigating officer, warrant officer Mthombeni, said: “The accused could not have acted out of shock or confusion to the point that he was arrested 500 km (Potchefstroom) away from where the incident took place.”
Furthermore, the court found that Nkosi misled the police, saying he was in Piet Retief to evade arrest. Had the police not received information that he was in Potchefstroom, he would have continued with his journey. The court, therefore, found that should he be granted bail, he might evade trial.
Bail was then denied; Nkosi remains in custody, and his matter was postponed to 06 March 2025 for a regional court decision.
Outside court, Siyabonga’s friends told Seskhona Media that the the judgment gives them hope in the South African justice system; they now await the trial to begin hoping justice will be served for their friend Siyabonga Nkomo.
