Africa-Press – South-Africa. The man who reportedly provided refuge for the alleged murderers of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) electrical engineering lecturer Chanlall Dwarika was granted R1 000 bail by the Durban Regional Court on Tuesday.
Sandile Mkhize, 43, a security guard, has been charged with defeating the ends of justice.
The State alleged he hid murder-accused Sihle Mkhize, 25, Siyabonga Maye, 35, Kwanele Makhaye, 29, and Thobani Mhlongo, 23, in his home in Inanda, Durban, after they allegedly kidnapped and killed the 61-year-old academic.
Dwarika was last seen alive on 28 May.
He was conducting repair work at the property he rented out in Sea Cow, Durban Central, when he was kidnapped.
Video footage from a CCTV camera showed four men leaving the property with Dwarika and then shoving him into his Honda SUV before speeding off.
News24 previously reported four of the accused have been charged with theft, kidnapping and murder.
According to prosecutor Calvin Govender, Mkhize, Maye, Makhaye and Mhlongo allegedly killed Dwarika by choking him and then slitting his throat.
Prior to committing the murder, the accused allegedly drove around with Dwarika in his vehicle, forced him to withdraw cash and then robbed him of his cellphone.
Mkhize bail app
In applying for bail, Mkhize told the court through his lawyer, Nonkululeko Ndlovu, he had no pending cases or previous convictions.
He said he has been working as a security guard for the past seven years and was stationed at Ziphembeleni Secondary School in Inanda where he earned R1 500 per month at the time of his arrest.
He informed the court he is a father of two children aged, four and 17.
Govender, on behalf of the State, did not oppose bail.
He said the police had confirmed Mkhize had no other pending cases or previous convictions.
As part of his bail conditions, magistrate S’celo Zuma said the accused must report weekly at the Inanda police station, pending the finalisation of the case.
The case was adjourned to 11 August for the State to complete its investigation.
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