Pretoria court refuses bail for three accused in Atteridgeville e-hailing driver murder

The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has refused bail to three men accused in the killing of a 23-year-old e-hailing driver in Atteridgeville. The decision was handed down on Tuesday in a case the National Prosecuting Authority says involves premeditated murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Who is charged

The court denied bail to Goitsione Machidi, 25; McClaren Mushwana, 30; and Thabang Kenneth Mothwa, 27. The NPA said the three are charged alongside Dikeledi Tears Mphela, 24; Tumishang Mogau Mabutla, 23; and Ofentse Senwamadi, 18, who had previously abandoned their bail applications.

State allegations and arrests

The State alleges that the six accused acted in common purpose to kill the e-hailing driver and rob him of his cellphone and vehicle in Atteridgeville on 11 February 2026, NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said. Investigations by the South African Police Service led to the arrest of all six suspects at different stages during February 2026.

Opposition to bail

When Machidi, Mushwana and Mothwa renewed their bail applications, Prosecutor Chris Maruma opposed the bid, arguing the accused face serious charges and that their release would disturb public peace and undermine public confidence in the administration of justice, Mahanjana said.

Court finding and next steps

The court found that the State had established a strong prima facie case and that the accused had not shown exceptional circumstances to justify release. The magistrate concluded that bail was not justified under the circumstances.

The matter was postponed to 1 September 2026 for further investigation.

Previous related matter

The NPA noted that Mothwa has a pending matter at the Cullinan Magistrates’ Court relating to possession of a stolen vehicle, for which he was previously granted bail.

“It is alleged that the six accused acted in common purpose to kill the e-hailing driver and rob him of his cellphone and vehicle in Atteridgeville on 11 February 2026,”

Lumka Mahanjana, NPA spokesperson