Vlakfontein murder accused tells court ‘I’m the only one who knows what happened’

Those were the words uttered by the 28-year-old Vlakfontein murder accused in the Protea Magistrates Court in the south of Johannesburg on Tuesday afternoon.

His response came after he refused any legal aid assistance from the state when asked by magistrate David Mhango.

Dressed in a black sweater and blue pants, Thokozani Sibeko walked into a court room filled to capacity by African National Congress (ANC) members and various gender groups.

ALSO READ: Protests erupt after withdrawal of Vlakfontein murder charges

The 28-year-old was arrested after confessing to the murder of his 41-year-old girlfriend, whose body was found in a shallow grave, in a tavern on Saturday night.

It's alleged that the victim had been missing for over two months.

Sibeko told the court that he did not want legal representation, but would rather represent himself as he is the only one who knows what happened on the day his girlfriend died. 

The request was denied by Mhango, who told Sibeko he would need legal representation to apply for bail.

He is charged with murder and defeating the ends of justice and will be back in court later this month for a formal bail application.