Bail for alleged DBN cop killer
A group of armed men robbed a mall in Fourways, Johannesburg, stealing an undisclosed amount of money, and cellphones and wallets from customers, SABC radio reported. A group of armed men robbed a mall in Fourways, Johannesburg, stealing an undisclosed amount of money, and cellphones and wallets from customers, SABC radio reported.
The woman who was allededly shot by a police sergeant outside Steers in Florida Road, Durban, had evidently broken up with him because he had paid lobola to another woman.
Selby Hlongwa, 40, is accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend, 25-year-old Bhomubhomu Princess Ngcobo, a waitress, on January 15.
He was granted bail at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Hlongwa, married with nine children, was a sergeant in the detectives unit at Durban Central Police Station at the time he was arrested.
Earlier in the bail application, Anele Mpanza, a principal investigator from the Independent Complaints Directorate and the investigating officer in this case, testified that Ngcobo had moved out of the flat she had shared with Hlongwa at a police barracks in Stanger Street in December, when she learnt that Hlongwa had paid lobola for another woman.
On the night of the shooting, Hlongwa had gone to the Steers, where Ngcobo worked, just before it closed and had spoken to staff.
He asked Ngcobo if she was going to accompany him. She said she was still busy and would meet him outside Steers.
Fired
When Ngcobo went outside, Hlongwa was seen grabbing Ngcobo’s bag, pulling her closer to him.
Hlongwa allegedly fired shots at Ngcobo’s head and when she fell, he fired several other shots.
Mpanza said witnesses gave statements saying Hlongwa put the gun to his temple and fell to the ground.
When police arrested Hlongwa at the scene they discovered that the gun had jammed.
The State argued that they feared Hlongwa would not stand trial because he is suicidal.
Hlongwa’s lawyer, Thulani Shange argued that Hlongwa’s firearm had been taken away from him and therefore he was less of a suicide risk.
Mpanza said she was also concerned about the safety of the witnesses by virtue of the violent manner in which Hlongwa allegedly killed Ngcobo, but told the court that no direct threats had been made to any of the witnesses.
The court also heard that Hlongwa was charged in a case of domestic violence, but that the charges were withdrawn because his wife did not appear in court.
Durban Regional Court magistrate Anita Govender said there was a lot of speculation surrounding whether Hlongwa would stand trial, but nothing factual.
Bail of R2 000 was granted. The case was postponed to March 30 for further investigation. - Daily News
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