Latest news with #Moeko
IOL News
31-07-2025
- IOL News
Court denies bail to man accused of murdering five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane
Elia Moeko (36) one of the three accused in the murder case of five-year-old Ditebogo Phahlane. The Pretoria North Magistrates' Court denied Moeko bail citing that he is a flight risk and may pose danger to society Image: Supplied/ NPA Lumka Mahanjana 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. Elia Moeko (36), Ali Sithole (30) and Nido Gumbe (29). The tree accussed in the murder case of five-year-old Ditebogo Phahlane. Image: Supplied NPA/ Lumka Mahanjana 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
The Citizen
31-07-2025
- The Citizen
Man denied bail in five-year-old murder case
The case of three men accused in an incident that left a five-year-old dead in Soshanguve has been postponed to September 10 for a formal charge. This follows the killing of Ditebogo Phalane, who was shot in front of his dad in a hijacking in the driveway of their home on May 10, 2024. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said, 'The matter was postponed to September 10 for indictment'. This, after one of the accused was denied bail by the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court on July 30. 'The Pretoria North Magistrate's Court denied bail to Elia Moeko (36),' she said. 'Moeko, along with his co-accused Ali Sithole (30) and Nido Gumbe (29), faces charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of ammunition.' She added that Gumbe, a Mozambican, faces an extra charge of being in the country illegally. Mahanjana said, 'The trio allegedly shot and killed Ditebogo during an armed robbery targeting his father, Tebogo Phalane, in the course of a hijacking.' WATCH: According to her, an intensive investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation led to the suspects' arrest on May 23, 2024. 'The suspects were arrested while in custody at the Pretoria Moot Police Station on unrelated charges,' she said. She added that while Sithole and Gumbe had previously abandoned their bail applications, Moeko submitted a bail affidavit. Moeko claimed he needed to care for his two minor children and his late brother's child. LISTEN: '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. She added that prosecutor Advocate Tumelo Letaoana opposed the application and led evidence from the investigating officer. 'Sergeant Mashudu Savhasa testified that Moeko posed a flight risk, had misled the court by not disclosing previous convictions, and could endanger witnesses known to him,' she said. Magistrate Maseena Khan ruled that the accused failed to prove the existence of exceptional circumstances that would justify his release on bail. 'As a result, bail was denied,' she said. ALSO READ: Child kidnappings on the rise in Pretoria – Parents urged to stay vigilant Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
