File
Five suspects accused of planning a hit on former acting judge Camagu Maseti appeared for their bail application in the East London Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Among the accused are two nephews, Sive and Sinovuyo Maseti, who were arrested after the 70-year-old attorney was shot and wounded outside of his law firm in Vincent two weeks ago.
The affidavits of Fikile Mtshemla, Sive, and Sinovuyo Maseti were read to the packed gallery by their attorney, Bongumusa Mseleku, stating why their release on bail is in the interest of justice.
The three accused said they have no previous convictions and have the responsibility of taking care of their families and children.
The Maseti’s further stated that they jointly own a house in Westville Kwa-Zulu Natal, run three businesses that employ 10 people, and are in the process of opening up cannabis clinics in East London and Butterworth.
Sinovuyo expressed in his affidavit that he is expecting a child with his ex-girlfriend on 24 February and that he is in the process of marrying his current girlfriend with whom he shares a two-year-old son.
Both Maseti’s say he can afford bail of R1000 each.
Meanwhile, forty-year-old Mtshemla residing in Quigney in East London said he has a wife and three children, and that he is the Managing Director of his funeral service business, Mtshe Funerals.
He makes up to R35 000 a month and can afford R2000 bail should it be granted.
He emphasized that his business was taking severe strain as his incarceration meant two deceased people in his care could not be processed for their funerals on Friday.
Meanwhile, Sazi Mjali from Umlazi took the stand saying that he had a pending case of possessing an unlicensed firearm where he is due to appear in court in Durban on 28 February.
Mjali who takes care of his family and children works as a truck driver in Ngozo scrapyard in Durban, making R10 000 a month, and would be able to afford bail of R2 000.
All four applicants indicated their intent to plead not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The last applicant, Bongani Shezi is expected to apply for bail on Wednesday.
