Soshanguve Block KK residents marched to the Soshanguve Magistrate Court chanting no bail for the murderer after alleged murder accused, Mr Collen Mathonsi (39), was seeking an application for bail.
Mr Mathonsi appeared in the Soshanguve Magistrate court yesterday morning where he was expected to apply for bail, but residents urged the court that the bail should be denied and the perpetrator must face the sentence to be served.
Mr Mathonsi was charged with the murder of his partner, Ms Sebenzile Maphanga (43), on 12 October 2020.
He testified to the police that he is responsible for the murder of his partner and that some of the victim’s body parts were taken to a traditional healer at an unspecified location.
Ms Maphanga’s uncle, David Nkosi, said as the family, it saddens them that the court might try to consider Mr Mathonsi’s application for bail.
“We are not happy that we were not called to attend the first hearing, we want that traditional healer arrested too and also all the suspects. I’ve organized all the Stakeholders around the area to ensure that the magistrate rejects the bail application,” said Mr Nkosi.
He added that they suspect Mr Mathonsi and the traditional healer are not the only ones involved in this situation.
“For now, it would be difficult to point fingers but there are some people that we suspect are involved and we do have the evidence. We can’t state it for now because the investigation is ongoing.”
A resident who leaves in the same street as the deceased in Block KK, Ms Aluwani Mailula (50), said she fears for her children’s lives.
“Sebenzile was a good person, she didn’t deserve what happened to her. The judge should do justice for the Maphanga family. A man like Collen does not deserve to live in any community but in prison. He should be locked up together with the traditional healer,” said Ms Mailula.
Mr Samuel Madumo (48), a GBV activist, said, “As a community of Block KK, we feel that the accused is a terrible pain in our society and a bad example of a man, no woman should live in fear.
“It bothers us when culprits like Collen would want to apply for bail, we expect the justice system to put a harsh sentence upon him with no bail and parole considered,” Mr Madumo said.
No bail was granted and the bail application was postponed to 19 November 2020 due to a pending investigation.
