Shooting accused’s case adjourned

Pietermaritzburg - ANC supporters packed the gallery of the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, anxious to witness to the bail application of a man alleged to have shot dead two ANC activists earlier this month.

Their numbers were matched by a large contingent of police, both local and from the Tactical Response Unit and the Public Order Policing Unit, inside and outside the court.

However, the application did not go on as expected after discussions between the State and defence, and the application was adjourned to June 29 to allow the defence to reply to allegations made by the State in its affidavit opposing bail.

Imbali resident and ANC member, Bonginkosi Shabalala, 40, has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the June 8 shooting.

The State alleges that the two victims, Phetheni Ngubane, 50, and her friend, another ANC activist, 54-year-old Badedile Ntshapha, came under fire as they left an ANC branch election meeting in Imbali.