Court withholds identity of accused in murder trial of top cop

The tiny, dreadlocked accused in the murder of former Umkhonto we Sizwe combatant and retired top policeman Brigadier Joseph Jongile stood trembling in the dock of court A in the East London magistrate’s court for the first time on Monday.

The 28-year-old was arrested on Thursday in Mpumalanga, three months after the brutal murder of Jongile at his home in East London.

The state initially filed an urgent application against the taking of photographs in court and naming the suspect in the media due to the fragile state of the case.

“There are other suspects to be arrested. We believe they are still in SA, so should the name of the suspect be made public that could jeopardise the case,” argued the state.

“The state is making an application to withhold the names of the suspects as the matter is ongoing and naming the suspect could be counterproductive.”

The magistrate granted an order in favour of the state.

“Depending on the situation, the conditions will be revised and reconsidered in the next court appearance,” she said.

She informed the accused that he was entitled to a lawyer and if he could not afford one, the state would arrange one.

The accused requested a state-arranged lawyer before the matter was transferred to court B for a bail application.

The Daily Dispatch understands that the accused will be taken for an identity parade on Wednesday.

A Tsonga speaking interpreter will also be arranged for his next court appearance on August 6 to apply for bail.

Jongile was murdered at his home in May 14 after gunmen forced his son, who was sleeping in a back room, to open the door and control the family’s

dogs.

The gunmen found Jongile’s wife in the kitchen and when she screamed for help, Jongile came to investigate and was held at gunpoint.

They allegedly shot and killed Jongile, then robbed the family of bank cards, his firearm, bicycles and other valuables.

Last week, the East London Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks conducted a joint intelligencedriven operation with the East London Crime Intelligence unit.

Hawks provincial spokesperson Capt Yolisa Mgolodela said the operation had led to the arrest of the suspect in Mpumalanga.

Mgolodela said they could not provide more details as this could spook the other suspects.

“Remember, other suspects are still at large. Interrogations continue.

“Let’s wait for processes to unfold,” she said.

The Jongile family spokesperson, Phumzile Mayapi, said the family was ecstatic with the new developments.

“Given that this happened in May, we were not happy with the progress in the investigation but we knew that the law enforcement agencies would crack the case.

“This has been a difficult time for the family, and not knowing who did it and why has been the most painful part,” Mapayi said.

Asked if they believed Jongile’s murder was a hit on him, Mapayi said: “Look, as a family we were all over the place thinking about every possible reason for Joe to be murdered.

“The man has been involved in politics and he served as a senior police officer for many years so we did not rule out a hit, in fact we thought of many possible reasons.

“It is a good thing now that there are developments. Hopefully we will find the truth and leave speculation behind.”

Remember, other suspects are still at large. Interrogations continue. Let’s wait for processes to unfold