Suspected killer brothers denied bail

Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday June 13, 2017 16:38

 

The state alleges that Meshack James, 32, Kabelo James, 29, and Happy James, 27, who is a special constable at Matshelagabedi police, murdered Thomas James, 70, on April 20 at Kulenyane ward in Matshelagabedi.

However, Happy was given bail about two weeks ago when the trio appeared in court to hear how investigations in the matter were going.

The court heard that the siblings killed their father because of his alleged unbecoming behaviour.

On Monday, state prosecutor Chimbisani Sechele applied for Meshack and Kabelo to be further remanded in custody because the investigating officer who was supposed to brief the court about how far he is with his investigations was not present in court.

Sechele said the investigating officer is on an emergency assignment outside town.

Meshack who was clearly not happy, asked if he would ever be granted bail while Kabelo said he had nothing to say.

Sechele responded: “The investigating officer is the one who can respond to the accused bail application. He is of the view that Meshack should not be given bail because his nationality is questionable. There are allegations that he stayed in South Africa for six years. The investigating officer said he still needs to find out if Meshack’s stay in South Africa was lawful or not. He further wants to establish Meshack’s ties in South Africa”.

At the end of the mention, Magistrate Kaveri Kapeko told Meshack that he is indeed entitled to be granted bail.

Kapeko told Sechele that the investigating officer should show seriousness about the matter because all along he knew that he was supposed to appear in court on Monday, but chose to go on an assignment somewhere.

The magistrate however acceded to the application by the prosecution to remand the accused in custody and ordered them come to court on June 19 for their bail application. Kapeko reiterated that the investigating officer should also be present in court on June 19.

Previously, the court heard that Meshack hit his father with a metal rod on the head, which led to his death.

Inspector Goitsemang Ramatatome represented the state in the matter.