In Gauteng, the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court has refused bail for three individuals: Goitsione Machidi (25), McClaren Mushwana (30), and Thabang Kenneth Mothwa (27).
The trio is charged with the premeditated murder of a 23-year-old e-hailing driver, Isaac Satlat, alongside robbery involving aggravating circumstances.
Another three suspects in the case—Dikeledi Tears Mphela (24), Tumishang Mogau Mabutla (23), and his girlfriend, Ofentse Senwamadi (18)—had previously chosen to withdraw their bail requests.
The six individuals are alleged to have collaborated to murder the e-hailing driver and steal his cellphone and vehicle in Atteridgeville on February 11, 2026.
The South African Police Service conducted an investigation that led to the apprehension of all six suspects at different times throughout February 2026.
Initially, all six accused forfeited their bail applications. However, Machidi, Mushwana, and Mothwa later sought bail, claiming that the State’s case against them was insufficient and urging the court to grant their release.
Prosecutor Chris Maruma contested the bail request, maintaining that the accused face serious allegations and that their release could threaten public safety and trust in the justice system.
Maruma also pointed out that Mothwa is involved in a pending case at the Cullinan Magistrates’ Court concerning stolen vehicle possession, for which he had been released on bail previously.
When delivering the judgment, the magistrate concurred with the State’s arguments, determining that a compelling prima facie case existed against the accused.
The court concluded that the three accused did not provide sufficient exceptional circumstances to warrant bail, leading to the denial of their requests.
The court has scheduled the case for further investigation on September 1, 2026.
