Accused in death of taxi couple in court

A man believed to have played a role in the double murder of Melta taxi boss Mboniso Rasi, 49, and his wife Sinovuyo Rasi, 44, last Saturday appeared before the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with illegal possession of a firearm.

State prosecutor Noluvuyo Salmani said the charge was related to the murder of the couple but he was not charged with pulling the trigger.

Presiding magistrate Joel Caesar postponed the case to today for the man to apply for bail. He was remanded in custody.

Salmani said the state would oppose bail as she believed his life was in danger outside custody.

Tensions rose in the gallery when a man sitting with taxi men mistook another man being given bail to be the Rasi accused. The large man jumped to his feet and shouted: “No your honour, you can’t give this man bail because he will kill more people when he is out! We are tired of this.

“No bail please!” But court officials quickly explained that he had the wrong case.

Mboniso died in a hail of bullets outside his house while Sinovuyo succumbed to bullet wounds at Cecilia Makiwane hospital on December 4.