Accused killer Mduduzi Mnisi faces mounting pressure ahead of June 24 bail hearing

The murder case that has shocked Johannesburg’s western suburbs has been postponed to June 24, as the Roodepoort Magistrates Court prepares to transfer the trial of Mduduzi Mnisi, the man accused of the premeditated murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, to another jurisdiction.

The case has triggered deep emotional outcry in Braamfischerville, Durban Deep, and surrounding communities, with activists, family members, and educators demanding swift justice for the slain Grade 8 pupil from Ikusasalethu Secondary School.

A Life Cut Short

Likhona was last seen in the company of friends before she went missing in May. Her body half-naked and brutally mutilated was discovered the next day in an open veld in Braamfischerville Phase 4, less than a kilometre from her home.

The discovery shook the quiet, working-class neighbourhood to its core. For many, it echoed the tragic pattern of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) that continues to plague South African communities, particularly where girls and young women are concerned.

A Bail Application the State Intends to Fight

Mnisi, who made a brief court appearance this week, was expected to apply for bail a move the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has promised to challenge vigorously.

“We have done all the groundwork as the State,” said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane outside court. “We’ve completed profiling the accused. The investigating officer has finalised the affidavit that will form part of the State’s opposition to bail.”

According to Mjonondwane, Mnisi has prior convictions, including robbery and attempted murder which add weight to the State’s argument that he should remain behind bars pending trial.

Community on Edge

The delay in the proceedings although procedural has left the community feeling anxious and angry. Social media has been flooded with messages of support for Likhona’s family, with hashtags like #JusticeForLikhona and #SayHerName trending locally in Johannesburg.

One Twitter user wrote:

“Fourteen years old. A child. If this man gets bail, it’s a betrayal to every South African parent.”

Another user posted:

“When will our children be safe? The system needs to start protecting the vulnerable.”

Outside the court, women’s groups and child protection activists gathered with placards, demanding “No Bail for Killers” and urging the justice system not to fail the Fose family.

Could More Arrests Follow?

While Mnisi currently stands as the only accused in the case, the NPA has not ruled out further arrests. Mjonondwane made it clear that the case is still in its early investigative phase, and developments will be guided strictly by evidence.

“The possibility of further arrests will be guided by the investigations. We follow the evidence,” she said.

Justice in Waiting

The court has postponed Mnisi’s appearance to June 24, when he is expected to bring forward his formal bail application. The matter will also be transferred to another court, although the specific venue has not yet been disclosed.

For now, a grieving family waits. A wounded community watches. And the country holds its breath, hoping that the legal process honours the memory of a girl whose life was taken far too soon.

{Source: IOL}

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