The Rustenburg Magistrates Court last week denied murder accused Sibongiseni Ngubane bail after the State successfully opposed it. The matter was postponed to January 9 for further investigations. Ngubane is facing a premeditated murder charge for the death of prominent businessman Ben Gumbi.
The State argued strongly against granting bail after consulting with the investigating officer, Colonel Patric Murungwa. The State Prosecutor, Faith Mogaki, argued that the State has a strong case against the accused. In her corroboration, she indicated that the accused's fingerprints were discovered on the vehicle used in the commission of the crime and further that he was identified by witnesses in an identity parade.
The State also highlighted that the accused voluntarily did the pointing out of the murder scene and confessing to the murder, despite his argument that he did all of that involuntarily, as he alleged the police assaulted him. Magistrate Tshenolo Mekgwe agreed with the State and denied Ngubane bail.
According to the police, Ngubane was arrested by members of a multi-disciplinary team which was established after the ruthless murder of Gumbi. He was arrested on September 12, in Germiston after attending a court case in which he is facing a charge of armed robbery, wherein he is out on R3 000 bail. Ngubane also has a pending case of possessing a illegal firearm and ammunition in Alberton, where he was granted R1000 bail.
Police reports revealed that Gumbi (49) was gunned down by two males outside a restaurant in the Rustenburg Central Business District (CBD) on Wednesday morning, August 23. The suspects then fled the scene with a blue Volkswagen Polo car found abandoned a few minutes after the incident at the corner of Helen Joseph and Lourie Streets. The vehicle was confirmed to have been stolen, and the number plates on the car were false.
Meanwhile, police investigations are still underway to track down three other suspects who are believed to be on the run - who are said to be part of planning Gumbi's murder, and executing it. Family members said losing their uncle (Gumbi) left the family in pain. "We have lost someone passionate about changing people's lives, a breadwinner. Justice must be served. We pray that the law will not fail us. "The people who are responsible for the tragic murder of Ben Gumbi must be exposed, and those who are on the run must also brought to book," said a family member who did not want to be named, fearing the gang that killed their uncle.
