Bail for suspect in traffic supervisor’s murder

A municipal security officer, who allegedly shot dead his supervisor at Pietermaritzburg traffic department, wins his bail appeal.

Durban - The municipal security officer who allegedly shot dead his supervisor at the Pietermaritzburg traffic department offices in January, won his appeal to be granted bail at the city’s high court yesterday.

Sifiso Hlengwa, 39, was refused bail by Pietermaritzburg Magistrate Y. Khuzwayo earlier this year, on the basis that he posed a flight risk and might evade his trial.

Hlengwa was charged with killing Superintendent Pumla Dlamini, the acting manager of public safety, on January 14 at the Washington Road offices.

Dlamini was shot five times after a heated argument, allegedly with Hlengwa. He died later in hospital.

Hlengwa fled the scene after the shooting. According to his affidavit in support of his bail application, he remained in hiding, fearing for his life.

Hlengwa eventually handed himself over to police 11 days after the shooting.

In denying Hlengwa bail, Khuzwayo said if convicted, he faced a lengthy term in prison, and this in itself, was an incentive not to stand trial.

Further, the magistrate said when Hlengwa fled the scene after the shooting, he ”disappeared” for 11 days. The magistrate said this was a concern to the court, as if Hlengwa decided to disappear again, it would be difficult to track him down.

However, Judge Thoba Poyo-Dlwati, found the magistrate had misdirected herself when she concluded that Hlengwa was a flight risk.

The judge said Hlengwa had surrendered to police, and if he hadn’t done so, police may not have been able to trace him.

The judge said it was also common cause that Hlengwa had no passport and could therefore not flee the country.

Judge Poyo-Dlwati also found the fact that Hlengwa was summarily dismissed from his job following the incident, was not reason enough for him to be kept in custody. The judge found it was in the interests of justice that Hlengwa thus be granted bail of R6000.

Daily News