By Obakeng Maje

Klerksdorp-A bail application by the eight men accused of murdering ANC North West official Obuti Chika was opposed by the state in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Prosecutor Riekie Krause submitted that if the men were released, local residents would be shocked and outraged.

Several of the men had also failed to disclose previous criminal convictions or pending cases, she told the court.

Chika, 33, was shot at point-blank range in the driveway of his Klerksdorp home on December 14 last year. 

The court heard how the suspects were allegedly planning to kill Chika.

According to information presented before court,eight suspects were conspiring to blow up Chika by using explosives.

“The suspects hired a hitman and demanded R50 000,but it couldn’t be raised and that’s where Sikhakhane was hired for R15 000” witness.

However Sikhakhane’s legal team argue that their client participated in a murder simply because he was tortured.

Chika was shot in a point-blank at his house in Alabama,near Klerksdorp. 

He was rushed to hospital,but died minutes after his arrival.

The case continues.