Africa-Press – South-Africa. Former ANC MP Sibusiso Kula’s application to have his murder case struck from the court roll has been rejected by the Orkney Magistrate’s Court.
Kula’s defence had applied for his case to be struck from the court roll earlier this month, arguing that “his rights were not explained to him”.
Kula was arrested on 20 January for the murder of his wife, Jennifer Mohlomi, who was found stabbed at the couple’s home in November 2022.
The North West High Court released Kula on R50 000 bail after his successful appeal against the Orkney Magistrate’s Court refusal to grant him bail.
“He was ordered to surrender his passports, report twice a day at the nearest police station, provide the investigating officer with his work itinerary, and report to investigating officer if he must move outside his residential jurisdiction and have no direct or indirect contact with his children,” said North West National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
“They have also requested to be furnished with a list of witnesses, as ordered by the High Court when it granted him bail,” said Mamothame.
“The defence brought an application to have the murder charges struck off the court roll. They argued that his rights were not explained to him and thus could be used against him in a subsequent trial. They further questioned the charges levelled against their client,” Mamothame said.
News24 earlier reported that prosecutor, advocate Phuti Sekoadi, opposed the application and argued that the matter was still under investigation and that the current charges were correctly drafted, as they aligned with the evidence in the docket. He further explained that the State would decide whether the charges should be amended when investigations were completed.
Mamothame added that an application to North West Director of Public Prosecutions Rachel Makhari to have the case transferred to a higher court was still being processed due to its serious nature.
“Investigations are nearing completion as the State prepares for trial,” said Mamothame. Kula is expected to appear in court on 30 June.
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