By Bhekizenzo Zonele
A Nigerian man accused of handling and reselling a smartwatch belonging to murdered Kempton Park runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo will remain in custody after his bail application was postponed.
Kenneth Chibuzor appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where the state requested more time to trace and verify documents relating to his immigration status.
“The matter is then postponed for formal bail application to the date of 27 October, you remain in custody with no bail,” the magistrate said.
Chibuzor became emotional during proceedings, telling the court that a young child in his care had been staying with a friend since his arrest.
The magistrate raised concerns about the child’s welfare and the need for social services to establish whether appropriate care arrangements were in place.
Chibuzor’s co-accused, Stephen Mahlakwane Sekhukhune and Danial Anthony Moat, who were previously granted bail of R10,000 each, will return to court in December for further investigations.
Their bail conditions remain in place, including requirements to maintain contact with the investigating officer and comply with restrictions on their movements.
“In relation to the two of you the matter is now postponed to 9 December for the purpose of further investigations, your bail is extended on the same conditions I previously explained to the both of you,” the magistrate said.
The three men face charges of money laundering and theft, alternatively possession of or receiving stolen property, in connection with Moselakgomo’s Garmin smartwatch.
Chibuzor, who operates a second-hand goods shop in Kempton Park, faces additional charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Second-Hand Goods Act.
Moselakgomo, 38, disappeared on 9 September after leaving her Kempton Park home for a run. Her body was discovered three days later in Rhodesfield, Ekurhuleni, following a search by relatives and community members.
She was among at least 12 women whose bodies were discovered across Ekurhuleni between July and early October, prompting a national outcry over the killings and an intensified police investigation.
Investigators subsequently traced transactions involving Moselakgomo’s missing Garmin Venu smartwatch, reportedly valued at between R9,000 and R11,000.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Chibuzor allegedly bought the device from an unidentified seller for R900 on 10 September, a day after Moselakgomo disappeared.
He allegedly failed to record the seller’s identification details and other information required under the Second-Hand Goods Act.
Chibuzor then allegedly sold the watch to Sekhukhune, who registered it under his Gmail account after Moselakgomo’s profile information and settings had been erased.
Sekhukhune allegedly sold the device to Moat for R4,000. Moat subsequently advertised the watch on social media and sold it to a fourth person for the same amount.
The NPA said the fourth buyer was not charged because there was insufficient evidence linking that person to the alleged offences.
None of the three accused has been charged with Moselakgomo’s murder.
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