No bail for Fatana murder accused

MOKOPANE -Two of the three men accused of the murder on Gideon Fatana were denied bail in the Mokopane Magistrate Court on Monday. Fatana was shot and killed at his home on 27 March.
After a long day’s attempt to convince the court to release the Charles Mogale (45) and Thabo Alfred Matlaila (30) on bail, defense attorney Cara Alberts did not convince the magistrate that there were exceptional circumstances requiring them to be released. “Exceptional circumstances indicate something unusual or remarkable,” said magistrate Joseph Ngoasheng.
He added that a bail hearing is a unique procedure and although Mogale and Matlaila allege neither of them was physically involved in Fatana’s killing, this remains the task of the trial court to determine. He said  that the offense was committed by a group and referred to the murder as a conspiracy.
All three accused, Charles Mogale, Thabo Alfred Matlaila and Desmond Machaba are expected to appear for trial on 19 August. Machaba who is an accused and state witness in the Fatana case is also expected to appear as an accused at the Charles Mgidi murder trial which will be heard in the Mokopane Magistrate Court on the above date. Charles Mgidi was killed at a filling station in Mokopane two days after Fatana’s memorial service. It is believed that a statement made at the service, led to Mgidi’s murder and therefore the magistrate said that he cannot separate the two cases.