Magistrate weeps in court
● Fearful Zondo says he ’ s being threatened by supporters of local ‘ bully ’ ● Bail given to ANC council speaker despite multiple criminal charges including assault and intimidation
Acting chiefmagistrate Manesa Zondo wept in the Delmas magistrate ’ s court yesterday as he revealed that he had received death threats from different people who demanded that he grant bail to ANC official Robert Khaya Segone.
The Victor Khanye local municipality speaker is facing a string of charges.
After the 4th of November, the [accused ’ s] last appearance [in court], I was approached by different individuals to make a decision that would free the accused. When that failed, they threatened the court and threatened that they knew where the judiciary lived,” a visibly shaken Zondo said.
Segone is believed to be the leader of the yellow overalls gang that is known for terrorising the community of Delmas in Mpumalanga.
He is facing 17 charges, including eight of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, robbery with aggravating circumstances, intimidation, crimen injuria and theft.
The municipality serves Delmas, Botleng township and surrounding rural and farming communities.
The gang members wear yellow overalls with an ANC logo and the party ’ s yellow Tshirts.
Zondo said the individuals told him that they knewwhere he lived. He granted Segone R50,000 bail.
For nearly three hours, Zondo went over the evidence that was presented to the court, repeating himself in some instances.
He told the court that he had reported the matter to the department of justice.
I must say that in as much as I got the threats I still believe that my decision should be in the interest of justice. And although I found no compelling reasons and exceptional circumstances to admit the applicant into bail, bail is granted, ” he said, to the shock of the investigating team and the prosecution.
Zondo said the court had taken into consideration the facts and merits of the case.
“The court is not convinced that the accused will not interfere with the justice system, however, the defence representing the accused have given satisfactory evidence that he is not [a] flight risk,” said Zondo.
He said he believed that the state had a strong case against Segone. “All will be presented in the trial.”
Segone was arrested on October 26 ona string of charges, and the state alleges that on the day of his arrest, he allegedly intimidated police officers at the Delmas police station and threatened to burn the cop shop down.
He is also accused of impersonating a traffic police officer by wearing full service uniform, of driving a police van with sirens and assaulting an individual while pretending to be a policeman.
Segone is also accused of assaulting former mayor Eva Mkhabane who was allegedly harassed, pepper-sprayed and attacked in her office. The string of cases date back to 2016.
Zondo ordered Segone not to interfere with witnesses and to report to the Delmas police station between 6am and 6pm every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
“He must also surrender his traveling documents and firearm to the investigating officer with immediate effect,” said Zondo.
Zondo also said Segonemust not enter any of the victims ’ houses or places of work, the police station and court without a valid reason.
He warned that should Segone not adhere to the conditions, his bail would be revoked and a warrant of arrest would be issued immediately.
Zondo said the threats reminded him of one of his colleagues from Bronkhorspruit, who was brutally killed after receiving death threats.
Victor Mabunda was assassinated outside his home in January 2018.
Two former warders, Paulos Fourie and Thomo Ngoato, and inmate Thato Maringa, were sentenced to life for the murder in November last year.
Judge Bert Bam found that Ngoato, a Cullinan Correctional Centre warder, ordered that Mabunda be killed because he was presiding over his case. He believed Mabunda would find him guilty of dealing in dagga and send him to prison.
Maringa, a former inmate at the prison, organised a hitman but the alleged gunman was not charged due to insufficient evidence.
“He was killed gruesomely because he didn ’ t comply...” Zondo said.
The case was postponed until January 14 for a decision on the trial date.
Outside court, Zondo told Sowetan: “I have also been followed just days prior to the judgment. ”
Zondo said more arrests were imminent.