Shoba accused of not ‘playing open cards’ in court
The alleged master mind behind the murder of Tshegofatso Pule has been accused by the state failing to playing open cards with the court on Monday.
Ntuthuko Shoba’s bail application continued in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
He is on trial for the murder of Pule, who was found hanging from a tree in June last year, a month before she could give birth to their child.
"Your worship the submission that he committed to say certain things, he did it deliberately I should argue," state prosecutor Paseka Temeki told the court.
"That was deliberate, he thought that we would not establish that fact. And he's only doing this and addressing the court of this said omission because he has to supplement his case.
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"We place before this court that he is not playing open cards with the court."
During court arguments, the defense also accused the state of deliberately concealing evidence to suit its narrative.
"The state even to date still plays in court selective what's app texts between me and the deceased and to show the court that me and the deceased had an unhappy relationship and neglected the full picture in what can assist the court to reach a fair and just conclusion in order to decide my release on bail," argued the defense attorney Luyanda Nyangiwe.
During his last appearance, explosive what's app messages were read out in court to provide a glimpse of their relationship.
WhatsApp texts in the state’s possession revealed that Pule feared Shoba might do something to harm her and the baby.
Furthermore, the texts also show Shoba was generally dismissive of Pule’s requests to be supportive.
The case has been postponed to May 7.
