A man accused of killing five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane was denied by the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court.

Elia Moeko, and his two co-accused Ali Sithole, 30, and Nido Gumbe, 29, are facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of ammunition while Gumbe, a Mozambican national, faces an extra charge of illegal immigration.

The charges stem from an incident which occurred on May 10, 2024, when the trio allegedly shot and killed the little boy during a botched hijacking while they were targeting his father, Tebogo Phalane.

Following an intensive investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the suspects were arrested on May 23, 2024, while in custody at the Pretoria Moot Police Station on unrelated charges.

On Wednesday, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said when Sithole and Gumbe abandoned their bail applications, Moeko submitted a bail affidavit, claiming that he needed to care for his two minor children and his late brother’s child.

“He further stated that his continued incarceration would result in a loss of income, as he operates a hair salon and offers school transport services,” said Mahanjana.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Advocate Tumelo Letaoana opposed the application and led evidence from the investigating officer, Sergeant Mashudu Savhasa, who testified that Moeko was a flight risk and had misled the court by not disclosing that he had previous convictions. In addition, he was considered a danger to witnesses known to him.

Magistrate Maseena Khan ruled that the accused failed to prove the existence of exceptional circumstances that would justify his release on bail.

The matter was postponed to September 10, 2025 

IOL News

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