Nine in court over TUT lecturer murder, facing schedule 6 charge

The case against nine people accused of killing a Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) lecturer has taken a serious turn after prosecutors upgraded the charge to a Schedule 6 offence – the most serious category of murder – – significantly raising the threshold for the accused to secure bail.

The accused, Koketso Mlambo, Thapelo Mothemani, Solomon Maunatlala, Kholofelo Phasha, Kabelo Mothiba, Koketso Masuku, Lerato Matlala, Marry Dudu Mogale and Maggie Phasha, appeared before the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The six men and three women were arrested in connection with the death of part time lecturer, Sifundo Madasi, who was killed near TUT’s Soshanguve South Campus last month in what police believe was a vigilante-style attack.

The killing is believed to have followed allegations that Madasi had raped two children – – claims that police say remain under investigation.

Police told the court that Madasi was allegedly dragged from his home before being assaulted by a group of community members near the campus.

Authorities have warned residents against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that criminal allegations must be dealt with through the justice system.

Prosecutors have since amended the charges, confirming that the nine now face Schedule 6 murder under the doctrine of common purpose.

This means the court may treat the killing as a coordinated group attack, requiring the accused to demonstrate exceptional circumstances in order to be granted bail.

During the bail proceedings, several accused submitted affidavits insisting they did not participate in the assault.

Thirty-seven-year-old Koketso Abraham Mlambo, accused number one, told the court he arrived at the scene after hearing noise near Martin’s Tavern in Block L.

Mlambo said he was arrested two days later and maintains he did not take part in the attack.

Another accused, Thapelo Mothemane, also denied involvement, saying he arrived to find a large crowd already assaulting the victim.

Both men told the court they have no previous convictions, are not flight risks and are seeking release on R1,000 bail.

However, the state is opposing bail.

Investigating officer, Xolani Hasani, told the court that witnesses had identified some of the accused as people who assaulted the lecturer.

Hasani also revealed that several suspects linked to the fatal assault are still at large, with police relying on informers to help locate them.

During cross-examination, the defence questioned whether the investigating officer could reliably identify those responsible for the assault, arguing that the victim was attacked by a large crowd.

The defence further pointed out that a witness who expressed fear for their safety had not received direct threats from accused number one.

Prosecutors maintain that releasing the accused could compromise the investigation and potentially lead to witness intimidation.

The bail hearing has been postponed to Wednesday, as police continue searching for additional suspects believed to have taken part in the killing.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe