Nine suspects accused of the brutal murder of a lecturer from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) have been granted bail of R2 000 each.
The group, aged between 20 and 56, were arrested last month for their alleged involvement in a mob justice attack that resulted in the death of lecturer Madasi Sifundo.
Sifundo was allegedly beaten by members of the community who accused him of raping two minor children aged 9 and 12.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, Sifundo was certified dead at the scene.
“During the bail application, the accused, through their legal representatives, applied to be released on bail. Prosecutor Thandi Nduli opposed the application based on the seriousness of the offence and the fact that the accused are known to State witnesses, which raises concerns that they may intimidate them.
“The court, however, found that exceptional circumstances exist which, in the interest of justice, permit the release of the accused on bail,” said Mahanjana.
The case has been postponed to 29 April 2026 for further investigations.