Dozens of community members sang and danced outside the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court yesterday calling for bail to be denied for murder-accused Sibabalwe Mgijimana.
Mgijimana was appearing in connection with the murder of Awonke Diko a Mdantsane teen found dead on Mgijimana’s bed in June this year.
She had sustained injuries to her head, womb and lungs.
Community members carried placards which read “no bail” and “justice for Awonke”, some of which were confiscated before the residents were allowed inside the bail court.
Some of them however managed to hide their placards which they later whipped out in court much to the annoyance of court orderlies.
Mgijimana walked in the courtroom confidently and greeted familiar faces, before appearing before magistrate Nolundi Mkwali.
The courtroom was filled to capacity with more than 100 people inside. When the magistrate walked in, people in the gallery had their placards in the air which read “no bail” and “justice for Awonke”.
However, the court orderlies called for placards to be put away.
Mkwali said Mgijimana’s formal bail application would be postponed for September 7, while he remains in police custody.
Noluthando Snobolo, who is the women’s league executive member in the ANC’s Mtyanti Msauli branch in Mdantsane, said they could not sit and watch while women’s rights were being trampled on.
“There has been a rise of women killings in our country, and when it happens in our backyards, we had to take a stand and ensure that these killings do not continue.
“We then took it upon ourselves to support family and friends of the deceased to oppose bail. We have come out in numbers and we vow to continue supporting them until justice is served,” said Snobolo.
Diko’s tearful mother Nomalungelo Diko was among those in the bail court gallery.
Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, Nomalungelo said she was grateful for all the support she was getting from community members.
“People gave up all their commitments to support me, the family and Awonke’s friends. Their continued support gives me strength to face this. I hope that justice is served for my daughter,” she said. — sisiphoz@dispatch.co.za
Residents fight bail bid in murder case
Mgijimana was appearing in connection with the murder of Awonke Diko a Mdantsane teen found dead on Mgijimana’s bed in June this year.
She had sustained injuries to her head, womb and lungs.
Community members carried placards which read “no bail” and “justice for Awonke”, some of which were confiscated before the residents were allowed inside the bail court.
Some of them however managed to hide their placards which they later whipped out in court much to the annoyance of court orderlies.
Mgijimana walked in the courtroom confidently and greeted familiar faces, before appearing before magistrate Nolundi Mkwali.
The courtroom was filled to capacity with more than 100 people inside. When the magistrate walked in, people in the gallery had their placards in the air which read “no bail” and “justice for Awonke”.
However, the court orderlies called for placards to be put away.
Mkwali said Mgijimana’s formal bail application would be postponed for September 7, while he remains in police custody.
Noluthando Snobolo, who is the women’s league executive member in the ANC’s Mtyanti Msauli branch in Mdantsane, said they could not sit and watch while women’s rights were being trampled on.
“There has been a rise of women killings in our country, and when it happens in our backyards, we had to take a stand and ensure that these killings do not continue.
“We then took it upon ourselves to support family and friends of the deceased to oppose bail. We have come out in numbers and we vow to continue supporting them until justice is served,” said Snobolo.
Diko’s tearful mother Nomalungelo Diko was among those in the bail court gallery.
Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, Nomalungelo said she was grateful for all the support she was getting from community members.
“People gave up all their commitments to support me, the family and Awonke’s friends. Their continued support gives me strength to face this. I hope that justice is served for my daughter,” she said. — sisiphoz@dispatch.co.za
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