The Soshanguve Magistrates’ Court denied bail to three men from Soshanguve, Amukelani Nyulunga
(19), Ofentse Maluleka (21) and Katlego Matlala (29). The three men are facing 43 counts of attempted.
murder, for selling muffins laced with a substance with a narcotic effect to children. The matter was postponed to 12 December 2023, for further investigations.
Community members of Soshanguve were so happy and delighted that three men did not received bail.
NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that on 20 September 2023, the two accused Nyulunga and Maluleka sold these muffins to school children from Pulamandibogo Primary School, in Soshanguve Block Y Tshwane.
It is further alleged that the children started vomiting, experiencing stomach cramps, and behaving strangely at school. The school Principal then called the ambulance, taking the children to the clinic and transferring them to the hospital for further observation.
“Nyulunga and Maluleka were arrested on the same day of the incident and Matlala handed himself to the police, and was arrested on 26 September 2023, after evidence linked him to the offence,” Mahanjana said.
She said in court the three asked to be released on bail because they will be unable to provide for their families should they be kept in custody. They further told the court that they intend to plead not guilty to the charges.
However, the District Court Prosecutor Luyanda Nkwale told the court that the state had a strong case against the three, therefore should they be granted bail there is likelihood that they might interfere with the witnesses, which are children. Moreover, the three did not try in any way to challenge the strength of the state case.
Magistrate Reginald Thulo agreed with the state that should the three be released on bail there is likelihood that they will evade trial. Over and above, the community has a strong eye on the case and are looking to the courts to ensure that justice is carried out.
Furthermore, releasing the three will disturb the public confidence in the criminal justice system, as a result the community might take matters into their own hands and that will pose danger to the three accused.
Over and above the magistrates said the three failed to show the court that the interest of justice permits their release on bail therefore bail was.
denied. The matter was postponed to 12 December 2023, for further investigations.