GAUTENG. – Six suspects allegedly involved in the murder of Emmanuel Mbense have been denied bail in the Brakpan magistrate's court. EMPD deputy chief Julius Doctor Mkhwanazi (50), a businessman, Cobus Janse van Rensburg (42), a former Ekurhuleni metropolitan police official, Adrian Norman Mackenzie (43) and three former SAPS members – Bhekokwakhe Sibande (36), Keisha-Leigh Stols (40) and Juan Maree Eksteen (33) – have had their bail applications successfully opposed.
Lumka Mahanjana, NPA spokesperson, says the suspects are being tried on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice. The state alleges that the suspects attacked and murdered Mbense at his home on 14 April 2022 after suspecting him of stealing copper from a warehouse. It is further alleged that they robbed Mbense of his personal belongings and approximately R500 000 in cash following the alleged murder. The state also alleges that the suspects dumped Mbense's body at Spaarwater Dam.
Bail was opposed by the NPA on grounds of the seriousness of the alleged crimes and the risk that the suspects could evade trial. The court found in its bail ruling that the suspects had not placed sufficient evidence before the court to prove exceptional circumstances which, in the interests of justice, would justify their release on bail. Bail was consequently denied to all six suspects. The case has been postponed to 24 November to allow for further investigation and to enable the detention and possible addition of an outstanding suspect.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
