Durban — A Molweni man alleged to have tied up and strangled a woman to death has indicated that he would be abandoning his bail application.
On Wednesday, the State told the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court that Sboniso Blessing Mthembu was still to be linked to another case and charged.
“The investigating officer said he could not access the accused at Westville prison to charge him for the other matter. The investigating officer will attend to the accused and then we can deal with the bail.
“The State is asking for a postponement,” said prosecutor Nomcebo Xulu.
Mthembu, arrested on October 25, is charged with murder. It is alleged that five days before his arrest, he intentionally killed Ntombifuthi Wendy Zulu by strangling her.
“The murder was committed during a house robbery where the victim was threatened with a knife and tied up before being strangled to death,” the State alleges.
He is also charged with housebreaking with intent to rob for allegedly breaking into Zulu’s house.
He is also faces a robbery with aggravating circumstances charge in that he allegedly assaulted Zulu before taking her Chevrolet, keys and cellphone.
The State had previously indicated that it was opposed to granting him bail.
Mthembu’s Legal Aid attorney, T Ramkissoon, said her client would abandon bail “for now”, and a final decision would be made once he knew what charge was added.
After Mthembu’s appearance, accused Siphosethu Dlamini, 25, was called into the dock. He is accused of being in possession of stolen property – said to be Zulu’s Chevrolet – in Hillcrest.
The prosecutor said Dlamini’s case was linked to Mthembu’s and that Dlamini would be charged with additional counts. “The State requests an adjournment for bail investigation,” said Xulu.
Daily News