Foundation outraged over Fose murder accused being granted bail

The Tshegofatso Pule Foundation has expressed outrage over the decision of the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg to grant bail to the man accused of the murder of 14-year-old Lukhona Fose.

Thirty-nine-year-old Mduduzi Mnisi appeared in court yesterday and was granted bail of R5 000.

Mnisi, who was on parole at the time for a 2009 robbery and attempted murder case, is alleged to have been seen with Fose in Durban Deep on the day she went missing in May.

Her mutilated body was found the next day.

The state claims premeditated murder, but Mnisi’s defence argues there’s no direct evidence linking him to the crime.

Foundation spokesperson Botlhale Modisane says granting Mnisi bail was spitting on the family’s faces.

“Bail of R5 000 is almost a spit in our faces and for the family…what is that going to do to the family? What is that going to do to the rest of the community then, especially because he’s a repeat offender? It just continues to show that there’s huge disregard for repeat offenders and there’s no careful consideration.”

NPA continues with investigation

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says they accept the court’s decision to grant bail, although they previously opposed it.

NPA Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says investigations are ongoing and they take note of the court’s remarks.

“As the NPA, we accept the court’s decision and investigations are ongoing. We take note of the court’s remarks. The investigating officer presented his affidavit, stating that the accused is linked through a statement of a single witness that alleges to have seen the accused on the day of the disappearance of the deceased. So as the state, we’re continuing with our investigation. We’re still busy consulting some of our witnesses and we will thereafter be in a position to indicate how this matter will proceed going forward.”

Likhona Fose Murder Trial | Mnisi’s alibi in question:

-Additional reporting by Refiloe Mekoa