A Morningside, Durban, SAPS sergeant has been charged with murder. Picture: File
Durban – A police sergeant accused of murder was granted R5 000 bail in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Sibonelo Christopher Shabangu, 30, is alleged to have shot and killed Qaphela Mdiba outside Casablanca Lifestyle in Molweni, Hillcrest, on November 25 for allegedly leaning against his car. Shabangu is alleged to have used his SAPS service pistol to shoot Mdiba.
Magistrate Wendalynn Robinson adjourned the matter to next year for further investigation as the crime scene photo album, ballistics and post-mortem reports, and statements were outstanding. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate opposed bail.
“The court takes into consideration information placed before it regarding your safety, the court also notes that you have made arrangements to relocate if granted bail,” Robinson told Shabangu in court.
Three other police officers are set to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on murder charges. Sergeant Ayanda Doctor Ntombela, Constable Lungisani Xaba, and Hillcrest SAPS officer Mlungisi Blessing Sikhakhane are expected to appear in court next week in separate cases.
Ntombela is charged with the kidnapping and murder of Sihle Mtshare. He is out on R20 000 bail. Last week two members of of Mtshare’s family were killed by four gunmen.
Xaba is charged with the murder of his 70-year-old mother. He remains behind bars after having been previously refused bail.
He is alleged to have assaulted the woman with a wooden plank embedded with nails in KwaDabeka, just outside Pinetown, on May 6.
Sikhakhane is charged with the murders of his long-time girlfriend, Sthembile Ngobese, and a woman he had been dating for fewer than five months, Enhle Majola.
Daily News