Alleged Nugget Street building arsonist abandons bail bid
Bonisiwe Gumede appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on two counts of murder and a charge of arson on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old was arrested after eyewitnesses informed authorities that she allegedly started a fire at the hijacked Express Building in the Johannesburg CBD that claimed the lives of Sizwe Cele and his partner.
It’s alleged that on the morning of Sunday, 21 January, Gumede used petrol to set the door of the room she shared with her boyfriend on fire following a domestic dispute.
READ MORE: Woman arrested for deadly building fire in Joburg CBD
Her lawyer, Tutula Nduna, said Gumede decided to abandon bail because of challenges with her address.
“The client had no one who is residing in the Gauteng area to accommodate her. She is originally from KZN, and unfortunately, she can’t use that address as an alternative address for when she is out on bail.”
Nduna previously raised concerns over Gumede’s safety and said this was another consideration that led to the accused opting to abandon bail.
Section 60 (1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act states that: “An accused who is in custody in respect of an offence shall, subject to the provisions of section 50 (6), be entitled to be released on bail at any stage preceding his or her conviction in respect of such offence if the court is satisfied that the interests of justice so permit.
The accused may still apply for bail at a later stage. However, the National Prosecuting Authority previously said it would oppose bail should Gumede make the application.
At the same time, Nduna said they don’t believe the state’s case against their client is strong.
“There are chances that she can be acquitted. We don’t believe that the state has enough evidence to convict her.”
The case has been postponed to 12 March.
ALSO READ:
