PHUTI MOSOMANE
ANC Member of Parliament Sibusio Macdonald Kula’s urgent bail application was denied on Monday by the Orkney Magistrate’s Court.
Kula is accused of killing his 31-years old wife Jennifer Motlhomi on 27 November 2021 in Kanana township, Orkney, in the North West Province.
The magistrate said it is in the interest of justice to allow the state a postponement so they can consult with the SAPS investigating officer.
The 34-year-old former ANC Youth League Secretary made his court appearance on Monday but is going to remain behind in custody until January 27 for a formal bail application.
Lawyers representing Kula, Gcina Dlanjwa said he is the sole breadwinner of his three children. Telling the court that, since his arrest on Friday, the children have been left without guardianship.
Kula’s lawyers further told the court that the state has not given “cogent reasons” for him to remain behind bars while this case is postponed.
The court also heard that Kula tried to assist the police “in order to find the culprits who did it.”
Lawyers argued that it would be unlawful for an accused to be kept in detention pending a bail application for an accused who is a first time offender.
However, the State Prosecutor told the court that she has limited information before her to go ahead with today’s urgent bail application.
The prosecutor pleaded for time to consult with the investigating officer for the sake of the deceased and her family who want to know what happened.
The State Prosecutor said because the state has a duty to present evidence in a bail application, it was not in a position to do so at the moment.
Outside the Orkney Magistrate’s Court, members of the community, including those from the ANC Youth League, ANC Women’s League, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and other organisations opposed to gender-based violence staged a protest.
Mampontseng Motlhomi, sister of the late Jennifer Motlhomi, said the family wanted to know what really happened.
Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said the country has a “pandemic” of gender-based violence and femicide, which she argued is a “man-made” issue that can be resolved.
”Even here in the North West we have the leadership of the ANC which would take the necessary decision in line with the recently concluded 55th National Conference resolutions. Women’s rights are human rights too,” Nkoana-Mashabane.
”Deputy secretary general Poppy Mailola led the grieving members of the community and activists across political divides in voicing their dismay on the senseless killing of Jennifer Motlhomi by an ANC Member of Parliament, Sibusiso Kula,” EFF in the North West said.
EFF said it will never tolerate gender-based violence, especially by those who are meant to be leading society.
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