Trio accused of killing Ditebogo Phalane abandons bail

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Three men accused of killing five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane have abandoned their bail application on Tuesday.

Elia Moeko, 36, Ali Sithole, 30, and Nido Gumbe, 29, appeared briefly at the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court facing a charge of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, Gumbe who is a Mozambican national, is facing a charge of being illegal in the country. 

The three allegedly shot and killed Phalane when they were robbing his father, Tebogo Phalane of his vehicle. 

“After investigations by the Directorate of Priority Crime Detection led by Major General Khumalo, the three were arrested at Pretoria Moot Police Station on May 23, where they were kept in custody for other unrelated charges,” she said. 

Mahanjana stated that the three abandoned their bail application and disclosed to the court that they had pending cases. 

“Moeko has a pending case of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition while Sithole has a pending case at Ga-Rankuwa magistrates’ court that will appear on June 28.

“He is facing charges of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, attempted murder, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. 

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“He also has a pending case at Atteridgeville magistrates’ court, where he is facing charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition,” she remarked. 

Mahanjana added, “Gumbe also has a pending case at Atteridgeville magistrates’ court where he is facing charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition.”

This matter was postponed to August 27 for further investigations.