Three suspects allegedly involved in the murder of a Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, have been granted bail in South Africa.
Four men were arrested over the murder of Chukwunta and were docked on 13th December 2024 for murder at Alexandra Magistrate court, with the case postponed to Wednesday 18th December 2024.
Chukwunta was said to have been hacked by the four men at the car park to his home and eventually died from the injuries three days later.
At the resumption of the hearing on Wednesday, three of the suspects were granted bail in the sum of R10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Rand) each.
Though only the three were present during the court hearing.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian community in South Africa has expressed concern over the way they suspects were granted bail, nursing the fear that the suspects may jump bail and scuttle justice.
Besides, they also blamed the representative of the late Chukwunta for not doing a great job in the court.
According to the President of Nigerian Citizens in South Africa, Frank Onyekweru, the legal representative of the late Chukwunta did not leave up to expectation
According to Onyekweru, “the Watch in Brief attorney who is supposed to be representing the family and Nigerian community did not do a proper consultation with the family nor with the partner of late Mr Julius resulting in the Prosecutor agreeing to grant bail to the accused persons. There is a strong indication that the accused persons could be a flight risk should they be granted bail.
“Five minutes break was granted by the presiding magistrate, which could have been a good opportunity for the watch in brief attorney to liaise with the partner, the investigating officer and the prosecutor, to have a unified agreement to oppose bail, it will have been in the best interest of the family and community.”
He also added, “One of our Elder statesman even asked the Watch in Brief attorney why she was not consulting the family or the partner of the deceased and carrying them along but instead she responded that it was the partner that should be seeking her.
“Had this consultation happened, the Prosecutor would have received more information on opposing the bail for the four accused seeing the partner was at the scene of incident.
“The case was postponed to 3rd February 2025. There was a great disappointment on the faces of many Nigerians that came to court including the partner and her family as we began to see justice slip out of our hands.
“NICASA President assured them that Nigerian Community will not sleep over this matter but must bring it to the attention of our Mission and Consulate for further engagements and support.
He stressed that Justice for late Mr Julius Friday Chukwunta will be the consolation for his family and assurance to Nigerians that our lives matter.
