The three men accused of killing Rand Water executive Teboho Joala and his bodyguard, Sifiso Shange, made their first court appearance at the Lenasia Magistrates’ Court.
THE TRIO APPEARED IN SHACKLES UNDER HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE
According to NPA Regional Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the three men are Khulekani Mdluli, Zamokuhle Ntombela, and Lindani Mtshali.
The trio are all charged with two counts of premeditated murder and three counts of attempted murder.
Reports indicated there was a heavy police presence at the court on Monday.
They are facing two counts of premeditated murder
During a back-to-school campaign at Zakariyya Park, south of Joburg, hundreds of primary school learners witnessed the killing of Joala and Shange in January.
Primary school children witnessed Joala receiving eight gunshot wounds.
Gunmen shot Joala eight times in front of children
Their case was postponed to 29 April for a formal bail application.
On 13 March, police made another arrest of a suspect linked to the case for possession of a firearm suspected to be the one used during the murders.
Ayanda Ngwenya, 27, remains in custody, and the court has remanded his case until 16 May.
According to a report by Times Lives, Joala had bodyguards due to previous death threats.
JOALA HAD BODYGUARDS DUE TO PREVIOUS DEATH THREATS
City of Johannesburg chief whip Sithembiso Zungu was among the wounded.
The motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage.
THE MOTIVE FOR THE MURDERS ARE STILL UNKNOWN
ANC Gauteng spokesperson Lesego Makhubela confirmed that Joala had several protectors with him at the time of his death.
“He was heavily guarded because of threats on his life. He had around four bodyguards because of the death threats and one bodyguard was fatally shot. Two were fighting for their lives in hospital,”
he told Newzroom Afrika.
‘HE HAD FOUR BODYGUARDS BECAUSE OF THE DEATH THREATS’
The ANC greater Tshwane region, where Joala once served as regional spokesperson, described Joala as a “beacon of selfless service to the people of Tshwane, and his untimely departure has left an irreplaceable void in our hearts and the ANC.
Joala had a wife and three children.
JOALA IS A HUSBAND AND FATHER OF THREE CHILDREN
He joined Rand Water in 2019 as general manager for communications and stakeholder management. He assumed his current position in 2021.
The Gauteng department of education provided psychosocial support teams to the affected schools.
Meanwhile, in other news, Oscar Pistorius now works as a caretaker on a voluntary basis at a Pretoria church.
