Charges dropped against accused in Likhona Fose murder case

Mduduzi Trevor Mnisi expressed relief outside the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday when charges against him in the murder case of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, were withdrawn.

This comes two weeks after Mnisi was released on bail of R5000 after the court learned that the evidence of the State heavily relied on a report given by a community member, who had stated that Mnisi was the last person to be seen with the teenager.

Mnisi, who was on parole at the time of the incident, was linked to the case through a single witness who later became uncooperative, as there was no forensic or additional evidence tying him to the crime, with the court finding the State’s case too weak to proceed.

On July 2, Mnisi’s girlfriend, Pinky Gantso, testified at his bail hearing to provide an alibi for the day Likhona disappeared. Gantso detailed Mnisi’s movements on May 31, painting a picture of a man following his normal routine, with Gantso saying Mnisi had visited her in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, on the same day that Likhona disappeared, and on his return, proceeded to travel to Dobsonville, Soweto.

The 39-year-old parolee, who faced several charges, including premeditated murder, appeared in the court on Wednesday where he was visibly relieved over the decision to withdraw charges.

"I am so happy that the charges have been dropped against me, I was innocent all along because I was not involved in this," he said.

The teen's mutilated body was discovered in an open field in Durban Deep, west of Johannesburg, on June 1, following Likhona's disappearance on May 31.

Mnisi was charged with the murder and during his application to be released on bail, Mnisi raised an alibi that he did not know the deceased and that his phone records would prove that he was in Daveyton on May 31.

In a statement, NPA spokesperson Phindile Mjonondwane stated that subsequent to Mnisi's bail hearing, the NPA had given instructions to the investigating officer to probe his alibi, and indeed, his phone was linked to a tower in Daveyton.

"Furthermore, there were more statements obtained from other witnesses that confirmed that Minisi could not have been the last person to be seen with the deceased. The decision to withdraw charges is therefore fair and responsible under these circumstances.

"The investigation continues to unearth what transpired on the day Fose was brutally killed. At this stage, we urge community members to work with us in our attempts to find justice for the affected family."

Cape Times