Middelburg – It remains to be seen if the bail hearing for the four individuals accused of killing Thembeni Mnguni and Wanda Mahlangu from Laersdrift will proceed at the Middleburg Magistrates court this morning, 26 September 2024.
The bail hearing has been plagued by significant delays since their arrest on 28 August 2024.
Yesterday, 25 September, the court adjourned the case to Thursday [this morning], 26 September, due to the absence of the third suspect, Stephan Wilson from Malawi, in court.
It was revealed that Wilson has commenced serving a 10-month sentence handed down by the Groblersdal Magistrates Court for his illegal presence in the country.
He is reportedly detained at a Witbank facility, a short distance from Middleburg.
This recent postponement follows a previous delay on 17 September when the Chichewa interpreter for Wilson left the courtroom due to a reported family emergency.
On 10 September, the case was postponed again due to the interpreter’s absence.
Additionally, on 5 September, Wilson was not present in court as he was attending proceedings at the Groblersdal Magistrates Court.
The continuous delays are taking a toll on the family members of the victims, who have to make the journey from Laersdrift to Middelburg and back using public transport, only to face further postponements.
“Each adjournment has a negative impact on us. The distance we have to travel using taxis is burdensome,” expressed May Mahlangu’s family representative.
“At times, we are compelled to borrow money just to attend court sessions with hope to observe whether the suspects will be granted bail or not. However, these repeated postponements are disheartening.”
Wilson, along with farm owner Reinhardt Steyn, Chriswell Masilela, and Dumisani Luthuli, are facing charges of murder, assault, kidnapping and malicious damage to property.
The murder and malicious damage to property charges were added subsequent to the discovery of the burned bodies of Thembeni Mnguni and Wanda Mahlangu, who were reported missing, under a bridge on Van Dyksdrift Road in Middelburg on 5 September.
Furthermore, a vehicle believed to belong to Mnguni was found charred not far from where the bodies were discovered.
It will certainly become evident this morning whether these prolonged delays stem from administrative challenges plaguing the court or if there is a clandestine force attempting to manipulate outcomes in someone’s favor.
You will be the judge!
