RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - The Magistrates’ Court here denied Sibongiseni Ngubane (33) bail after the state successfully opposed it. The matter was postponed to 9 January 2024 for further investigations. Ngubane is facing a premeditated murder charge for the death of businessman Ben Gumbi. The state argued strongly against the granting of bail after consulting with the investigating officer, Colonel Patric Murungwa. The state prosecutor, Faith Mogaki, argued that the state has a strong case against the accused.
In her corroboration, she indicated that the accused’ fingerprints were discovered on the vehicle that was used in the commission of the crime, and further that he was identified by witnesses in an identity parade. The state also highlighted the fact that the accused voluntarily did the pointing out of the scene, as well confessing, albeit his argument that he did all of that involuntary as he alleges the police assaulted him. Magistrate Tshenolo Mekgwe agreed with the state and denied Ngubane bail.
Ngubane was arrested by members of a multi-disciplinary team, which was established after the ruthless murder of Ben Gumbi. The suspect was arrested on 12 September in Germiston after attending a court case in which he is facing a charge of armed robbery, wherein he is out on R3000 bail. He also has a pending case of possession of a firearm and ammunition in Alberton, wherein he was granted an R1000 bail. Gumbi (49) was gunned down by two men outside a coffee shop in the Rustenburg on the morning of 23 August. The suspects then fled the scene with a blue Volkswagen Polo, which was found a few minutes after the incident, abandoned at the corner of Helen Joseph and Loerie Streets. The car was confirmed to have been stolen, and the number plates that were on the car were false. The police investigations are still ongoing to track down three other suspects who are believed to be on the run.
