Suspects accused of killing Ditebogo Phalane abandon bail

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Three suspects who were arrested in connection with the murder of young boy, Ditebogo Phalane Jr earlier this year has been postponed to December.

The death of the 5 years old Ditebogo on May 5th in Soshanguve made headlines also having angered various community members in and around Soshanguve and across the country.
They allegedly shot him as he was running to greet his father at the gate at his home in the evening before robbing the young father of his motor vehicle.

The trio from Soshanguve South, 36 years old Elia Moeko, 30 years old Ali Sithole and 29 years Nido Gumbe were later on arrested for the alleged involvement in the matter.

During their previous court appearance on 27 August 2024, the accused indicated their intention to bring forth a bail application after previously abandoning their bail request on 28 May 2024.

All three men face serious charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Additionally, Gumbe, a Mozambican national, is facing a charge of being illegal status in the country.

They are also facing other unrelated charges.

Moeko also abandoned his bail application for a separate matter at the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court, where he faces charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition.

Additionally, Sithole and Gumbe have pending charges at the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court for possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition. Sithole is also implicated in another pending case at the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court for possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, attempted murder, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The court has postponed the matter until 04 December 2024, for further investigations and a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding the potential consolidation of all cases against the accused.