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The Libode Magistrate's Court has denied the bail application of young traditional healer (Sangoma), Thandazani 'Zanezulu' Mcetywa, who is facing three counts of murder.
Mcetywa is alleged to have killed a married couple from Cacadu, formerly Lady Frere and retired police officer Colonel Bongiwe Fikela.
The 27-year-old was arrested on April 22, 2022, following the discovery of the man and his wife dead in their vehicle after having consulted with him.
“Further police investigations led to the addition of a further charge of murder relating to the mysterious death of Colonel Fikela under similar circumstances. The Sangoma lured his victims through advertisements on social media platform, Tik-Tok, where he claimed to have supernatural powers to make people rich.
“His co-accused, Anathi Doris Njikazi, the niece of the late Colonel Fikela, was also denied bail. She is charged with conspiracy to commit murder. She allegedly conspired with Mcetywa to have her aunt killed as she wanted to benefit from the pension monies the ex-police officer expected after her long service in the SAPS,” said National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali.
Tyali said that the court found that the two had failed to discharge their onus to prove on the balance of probabilities that exceptional circumstances exist for their release on bail.
“The court accepted Prosecutor Yongama Hlangu’s argument that the case was severe, and the state had a strong case against them. Mcetywa also faces a charge of possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition,” Tyali added.
The case has been postponed to December 30, 2022, for the finalisation of investigations before the matter is transferred to a superior court.
