Warning of unrest if Ma-J murder-accused granted bail

Testimony in the bail application of five people implicated in the kidnapping and murder of a retired Bhisho legislature official touched some raw nerves when it came to gender violence on Wednesday.

Organised crime unit commander Lieutenant-Colonel Nceba Mshiyo, testifying in the Qumbu magistrate's court, said granting bail to those implicated in the death of Nosipho Sidabuka-Jombile, 51, affectionately known as Ma-J, could see people taking the law into their own hands as it would destroy their confidence in the justice system.

Sidabuka-Jombile's ex-husband Phindile Jombile, 52; his current wife Lindiwe Komanisi-Jombile, 39, her sister Sibongile Komanisi, 41, and two alleged hitmen, Danisile Bhutyumpha, 55, and Paul Edkins, 38, are charged with kidnapping, murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Edkins has indicated he intends to plead guilty.

Sidabuka-Jombile was driving with her son, Abongile, 22, from their Mabaleni home to Qumbu on June 11 when they were attacked between Shawbury and Tsitsa Bridge.

Her body was found, strangled, shot and dumped in a forest at Zandukwana near Mthatha on June 12.

Mthatha lawyers Thanduxolo Qina represent Bhutyumpha and Edkins. Mbulelo Ndakisa represents Jombile, his wife and his sister-in-law.

Qina and Ndakisa claim their clients were tortured by police. Mshiyo and state prosecutor Elizabeth Mcaba dispute this.

Led by Mcaba, Mshiyo said Jombile, a Mthatha policeman, and his wife who owns a security company, were the ''masterminds behind the brutal killing''.

''As police officer, [Jombile] should know that women, including his ex-wife looked upon him to protect them. But instead he became an instigator of gender violence and femicide. He failed society and his own children. When she was hijacked, their son, also a victim, called him first, not knowing it was his own father who masterminded his mother's brutal killing,'' said Mshiyo.

He feared for the accused's lives if they were granted bail the community was so outraged, he said.

''There is also a possibility that, if granted bail, the father and his co-accused could kill the son, who is a crucial witness in this case,'' he said.

Mshiyo said Bhutyumpha and Edkins were hired as hitmen.

''[Edkins] was the first to pull the trigger. Both were present in the kidnapping, shooting and strangling of the victim, and disposing of the body,'' he said.

Jombile paid Bhutyumpha R20,000 for the killing, according to the state's case.

''Qumbu has a high incidence of gender violence and femicide. It's disappointing that two women are involved in killing another woman. It's a disgrace that a policeman masterminded the murder of the mother of his children. The court must deny bail to the accused,'' Mshiyo told the court.

"#Justice For Ma-J" activists have been picketing outside the court since the first hearing on June 29, calling for bail to be denied. A petition signed by hundreds was submitted to court.

Qumbu magistrate Vuyisani Dyomfana postponed the hearing to Thursday.

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