Longwe Twala to remain behind bars until next Thursday

The criminal case against the 39-year-old sound engineer has been postponed to 12 September to verify bail information and appoint a Legal Aid lawyer.

Twala was arrested on Tuesday after his father, renowned music producer Chicco Twala, filed a criminal complaint against his two sons (Longwe and Sello) for allegedly stealing recording equipment valued at more than R250,000.

Jacaranda FM understands the National Prosecuting Authority is not pursuing charges against the younger Twala brother, Sello (34).  

Meanwhile, the accused cut a lonely figure in the dock with his father and younger brother nowhere to be seen when court proceedings commenced.

Twala was dressed in a faded black T-shirt and dirty grey jeans.

He repeatedly alternated between scratching his unshaven head, which is riddled with scars, and wringing the floppy hat that he had crumpled into his hands.

Twala provided an alternative address should he be granted bail, because he cannot return to his father’s home as he’s the complainant in the matter.

LONGWE HAS BEEN REHAB ‘MORE THAN 30 TIMES’

Chicco Twala says he had no choice but to report his son to the police because he tried and failed several times to get him off drugs.

Twala accused Longwe and his other son, Sello, of stealing his recording equipment while he was abroad. However, only Longwe appeared in court.

He says before he left for the United States, he sat his son Longwe down and encouraged him to fix his life after years of alleged addiction only to be disappointed upon his return.

“When I was preparing to go to the US I met with them because I knew that Longwe would go astray. So, I spent about two hours talking to him and he was okay and looking good and very clean. When I came back and I found my stuff gone, I was really hurt.

“This time I said to myself that I will find him, and wherever I find him he must rot in jail.”

He says he tried for years to help his son, who has reportedly resorted to living on the streets and theft to feed his habit, that he has lost count of the number of times he has been to rehabilitation facilities.

“Private, government…he’s been to rehab more than 30 times. I’ve even lost count,” complained Twala.

‘HE’S A THIEF, A DRUGGIE BUT HE DIDN’T SHOOT SENZO’

Twala senior vehemently denies recent claims by a defense lawyer in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu, that Longwe had a hand in the murder of late Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.

“He’s a thief, he’s a druggie but him shooting Senzo or whatever is nonsense. I know he would never do that. Even if I was protecting him, I mean this was in the streets, I only accept when he comes from rehab. If I am protecting him, why would I open a case for him to be imprisoned if I am protecting for the Senzo Meyiwa matter?”

Twala also dismissed any insinuations that his firearm was used in the 2014 shooting: “My son was implicated, and they said my gun was used. So, the police have the right to take my firearm for ballistic tests; it’s a normal practice. I had to give them to make sure that it was cleared.

“Some people said my firearm was stolen, but my firearm was never stolen.”

Twala says he doesn’t believe there’s any reason he or his son should take the stand in the Meyiwa trial, because there is nothing to defend.

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