Likhona murder accused claims he was in Daveyton at time of child's killing
Mnisi, 39, was charged after Fose's body was discovered in Durban Deep on June 2. Fose left her home on May 31 and did not return.
'Her brother, who had spent the night at a relative's house, saw a community message about a young girl's body being found upon returning home. He went to the scene and he identified the body as his younger sister,' National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said.
She said Mnisi has a previous record of attempted murder and robbery and was on parole when the alleged offence occurred.
'The accused testified in court, stating he had no involvement in the incident, complied with parole conditions and requested to call his girlfriend as a witness to confirm his alibi.'
Mnisi claimed to have been in Daveyton, some 60km away, on the day of the incident. Mnisi also offered to abide by court conditions if released on bail.
'The NPA is opposing bail given the severity of the crime and the vulnerability of the victim, emphasising the need to prioritise justice and safety for children,' Mjonondwane said.
TimesLIVE
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
11 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Kenny Kunene resigns
Here's your daily news update for Saturday, 26 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes the resignation of suspended Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene as a councillor in the city of Johannesburg, effective immediately. The national commissioner of the South African Police Service (Saps), General Fannie Masemola, and Lesotho police chief Advocate Borotho Matsoso have confirmed a collaborative investigation into allegations of military-style training camps for Basotho on some South African farms. Furthermore, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has expressed serious concern over the leak of a confidential affidavit belonging to a key state witness in the fraud and money laundering case involving self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his co-accused. Weather tomorrow: 27 July 2025 The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued a yellow level 2 warning for damaging winds in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday. This is expected between Port Edward and Kosi Bay. A yellow level 1 warning for damaging winds has been issued for the Richtersveld and Nama-Khoi municipalities in the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape on Sunday. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Suspended Kenny Kunene resigns as councillor and MMC for transport in Joburg Suspended Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene has resigned as a councillor in the city of Johannesburg with immediate effect. Kunene made the announcement in a letter on Saturday afternoon. Kenny Kunene. Picture: Gallo Images Kunene's resignation comes after the PA deputy leader was seen at the home of Katiso 'KT' Molefe, who has been arrested in connection with the murder of popular South African DJ Oupa John Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody. CONTINUE READING: Suspended Kenny Kunene resigns as councillor and MMC for transport in Joburg Police investigate allegations of Basotho military-style training camps in South Africa The national commissioner of the South African Police Service (Saps), General Fannie Masemola, and Lesotho police chief advocate Borotho Matsoso have confirmed a collaborative investigation into allegations of military-style training camps for Basotho on some South African farms. National police commissioner Fannie Masemola. Picture: Gallo Images Matsoso this week warned of such camps that could destabilise both countries. 'It is not necessarily young Basotho, but Basotho nationals of different ages, especially males. We have discovered that they have been recruited to join this military training in some of the farms in South Africa. This is what we have come across,' Matsoso told Newzroom Afrika. CONTINUE READING: Police investigate allegations of Basotho military-style training camps in South Africa Leaked Bushiri case affidavit puts witness at risk, warns NPA The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has expressed serious concern over the leak of a confidential affidavit belonging to a key state witness in the fraud and money laundering case involving self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his co-accused. Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court during their bail application on 4 November 2020. Picture: Jacques Nelles The NPA said the affidavit forms part of the documents in the case docket that was disclosed to the defence for the accused to prepare for their trial. CONTINUE READING: Leaked Bushiri case affidavit puts witness at risk, warns NPA The Constitutional Court has set down a date to hear the MK party's urgent application against President Cyril Ramaphosa to place police minister Senzo Mchunu on leave. President Cyril Ramaphosa and former president Jacob Zuma. Pictures: Nigel Sibanda, Gallo Images Former president Jacob Zuma and the MK party are seeking to invalidate Ramaphosa's decision to place Mchunu on a leave of absence and appoint Wits law professor Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister. CONTINUE READING: ConCourt sets date for MK party's case against Ramaphosa over Mchunu Police arrest 183 rape suspects in one week The South African Police Service (Saps) has arrested 183 suspects for rape in one week across the country, while a serial rapist in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was sentenced to 10 life terms and 70 years in prison. Picture: South African Police Service Police spokesperson, Amanda van Wyk, said this is one of the operations that are aimed at intensifying the police's efforts in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). CONTINUE READING: Police arrest 183 rape suspects in one week Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Ramaphosa: Police probe within year | Politics weakened Saps, NPA | Bad news for meat lovers
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Another lie? Joslin's mom has 'dream' of her location
Social media users are reacting to rumours that Kelly Smith reportedly had a 'dream' about the location of her missing child, Joslin Smith. This comes as police confirmed that they were following up on new leads in the informal settlement of Middelpos. In May, the Saldanha Bay woman and two others, Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, were convicted and sentenced by Western Cape High Court judge Nathan Erasmus for kidnapping and child trafficking. Last February, the blonde-haired, green-eyed girl disappeared from her home. According to witnesses, she was allegedly sold to a sangoma for the purposes of 'muti'. On social media, South Africans have been speculating after police confirmed that they were following up on new information about the disappearance of Joslin Smith. Many referred to a rumour that the little girl's mother – Kelly Smith – had 'dreamt' that Joslin was dead. She claimed her remains were located in Middelpos, where the Smith family resided. One Facebook user posted, 'Kelly apparently had a dream that she is buried in a drain in the cemetery behind Middelpos. Kelly is playing games.' Another added: 'Kelly Smith is probably the one who helped dig the hole then. Her hands and arms were full of sand'. A third added: 'I think that Kelly has possibly given the investigating officers information regarding who exactly it was that she sold Joslin to'. Is Joslin Smith still alive? According to rumours, her mother believes she is dead and her remains are buried near her home. Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC News. During an eight-week trial, witnesses relayed how Kelly Smith bragged about selling her daughter to a sangoma for R20 000. She also allegedly claimed her child had been trafficked by a Nigerian man. Kelly reportedly told her sister that Joslin could also be 'hiding' in the Middelpos informal settlement. Kelly and her co-accused refused to testify in court. In a statement, police confirmed that they were following up on new leads in the active investigation into Joslin Smith's disappearance. It read: 'SAPS teams led by detectives with K-9 members, search and rescue teams, and local police have been scouring an identified area in Saldanha Bay. Whether the ongoing search will yield any success remains to be seen. 'It is worth reiterating that police have an obligation to follow up and test all information that is brought to their attention'. Police appealed to the public to give them space and time to perform their duties as the investigation continues.' Meanwhile, Kelly Smith, Jacquin Appollis, and Steven van Rhyn will appeal their life sentences for kidnapping and child trafficking relating to Joslin Smith. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the trio will appear in the Western Cape High Court on 12 and 13 August. He said: 'All three have filed papers challenging both conviction and sentence. The NPA will oppose the applications, and we are confident that there are no prospects of success. State witness Lourentia Lombaard – a former accused – has yet to hear her fate from Judge Nathan Erasmus. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Mail & Guardian
5 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Kenny Kunene steps away from Joburg and PA roles
Suspended Patriotic Allianc deputy president Kenny Kunene. (X) Suspended Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene has resigned from his roles in the City of Johannesburg. His resignation follows his official suspension from the PA pending an investigation into his relationship with murder-accused Katiso 'TK' Molefe, who was this week arrested for allegedly orchestrating Oupa Sefoka (DJ Sumbody's) murder in 2022. Kunene has agreed to 'cooperate with an investigation' and will step aside from his political role in the Patriotic Alliance until he is cleared of the allegations. He will also not act and work in any official capacity in the party while on suspension, its leader Gayton McKenzie said in a statement. Kunene tendered his resignation as Proportional Representation Councillor and transport MMC in the city of Johannesburg with immediate effect. 'I am stepping aside from public life, for a period, while my party satisfies itself to certain allegations that have been raised against me, which are unfounded, but I have nevertheless agreed it would be in the public interest for me to await the clearing of my name before considering a return to public service and duty,' Kunene said in a statement. This week, Kunene, who also owns the online publication African News Global, said the purpose of his visit to Molefe's property was to facilitate an exclusive interview on various topics for one of his journalists. He added that he only knew Molefe from a distance. Molefe was arrested for allegedly orchestrating DJ Sumbody's murder in 2022, and he was also on R100 000 bail for another murder case at the time of his arrest. The Democratic Alliance, which has been critical of the Patriotic Alliance following these recent revelations, said it notes Kunene's resignation, but demands investigations into the projects that Kunene was overseeing. These include a full investigation into all contracts and procurement processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), a full investigation into the contractors and procurement of the Lilian Ngoyi street repairs and a full investigation into contracts, appointments and procurement processes at the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC). 'Should the executive mayor fail to respond to the DA within seven days, the DA will use all avenues at our disposal, including approaching law enforcement with the information available to us, to hold the executive mayor as shareholder representative himself responsible for the alleged irregularities at JRA and MTC,' the party's Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said in a statement.
