Mbabane – Senior Mbabane Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati has refused to revoke bail to two accused persons who were reported for terrorising Kombi conductor and passengers.
Xolani Magongo and Mpendulo Shongwe from Mvutjini who were recently granted E3000 bail for the charges of robbery and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) received a challenge from the prosecution on Thursday. The duo were part of four men who are suspected with gang links in an incident that left passengers shocked when they were robbed along with a kombi conductor in a public road from Mbabane to Manzini last month. They were alleged to have demanded a second payment from the passengers after passenger fare had been collected from the conductor, Masiko Ndzingane and whereupon further a passenger was allegedly stabbed in the head in a demand to hand over E380.
It was also initially reported that the kombi nearly lost control from the fracas and the passengers received a freight of their lives. The police ended up arresting Magongo (22) and Shongwe (24) who are facing charges of robbery and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. But on Thursday, May 22, the prosecution submitted that the bail of the two should be revoked because one of the complainants is still hospitalised. However, the Senior Magistrate Vilakati said he is not going to revoke the bail because he was the one who had granted it. He further said on May 6 when the matter appeared before him, the prosecution had told the court that the bail of the two accused was no longer opposed.
Initially, the prosecution called for their remanding in custody until May 9 pending additional arrests. The Crown had also initially opposed their bail application and advised that they should resubmit their bail application. In the court session, the accused one, Magongo, told the court that they saw the complainant in question today prior to coming to the court and he looked perfectly fine.
Magongo also said the complainants were seemingly not even admitted to the hospital, prompting the prosecution to relay to the magistrate that the accused persons should be treated as very dangerous and that they could say anything nonfactual so the court can grant them bail. The accused are expected to reappear June 13, 2025 for the continuation of the matter.
Discussion about this post