Picture: One of the suspects accused of killing North West prominent businessman, Ben Gumbi/Twitter
By OBAKENG MAJE
A murder case against Thabani Gwala (30) was postponed by the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court to 9 January 2024 for further investigations and to be combined with the first accused, Sibongiseni Ngubane (33). The duo was arrested and facing a charge of murder after they were linked to the murder of the North West prominent businessman, Ben Gumbi (49). Gwala was scheduled to make a formal bail application, which the state intended to oppose, but opted to abandon it.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, the accused was arrested in Johannesburg on 16 November 2023, following a collaborative effort of a multidisciplinary team consisting of Hillbrow Tactical Response Team (TRT), Rustenburg Crime Intelligence and Rustenburg Detectives.
“The first accused was denied bail after the state successfully opposed it, and his case was postponed to 9 January 2024 for further investigations. Ngubane also is facing a premeditated murder charge for the death of Gumbi.
“According to the police, Ngubane was arrested by members of a multi-disciplinary team, which was established after the ruthless murder of Gumbi. He was arrested on 12 September 2023 in Germiston, after attending a court case in which he is facing a charge of armed robbery, wherein he is out on R3000 bail,” he said.
Mmothame further said Gumbi also has a pending case of possession of a firearm and ammunition in Alberton, wherein he was granted an R1000 bail. He added that, Gumbi was gunned down by men outside a restaurant in the Rustenburg Central Business District (CBD) on 23 August 2023.
“The suspects then fled the scene with a blue Volkswagen Polo car, which was found abandoned at the corner of Helen Joseph and Lourie Streets, a few minutes after the incident. The car was confirmed to have been stolen, and the number plates that were on the car were false.
“The police investigations are still underway to track down other suspects believed to be on the run,” said Mamothame.
The Guardian 