Accused in Kempton Park runner’s smartwatch case abandons bail bid

Kenneth Chibuzor will remain in custody after abandoning his bail application in the case involving a smartwatch allegedly belonging to murdered Kempton Park runner Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo.

His two co-accused, Stephen Mohlakwane Sekhukhune and Danial Anthony Moat, were each granted R10 000 bail during their initial court appearance, reports the Kempton Express.

Chibuzor appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court today (November 2) for his bail proceedings, when the state prosecutor informed the court that he had abandoned his application.

The matter was postponed to December 9 for further investigations, with the proceedings expected to be linked to the court appearance of his co-accused.

Chibuzor, Sekhukhune and Moat first appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on October 12 in connection with a Garmin Venu smartwatch allegedly belonging to Moselakgomo. Her body was found in Rhodesfield on September 12, three days after she was last seen leaving home for a run.

The state alleges that the watch changed hands shortly after Moselakgomo was last seen alive.

According to the allegations presented in court, Chibuzor, who allegedly owned or managed a second-hand goods shop in Jubilee Street, Kempton Park, acquired the watch for R900 from an unidentified person.

He allegedly sold it to Sekhukhune, who registered the device to his Gmail account on September 10, after Moselakgomo’s settings and profile data had allegedly been erased.

Sekhukhune allegedly sold the watch to Moat for R4 000. Moat then advertised it on Facebook Marketplace and allegedly sold it for the same amount to a fourth person.

The fourth person has not been charged. Earlier court proceedings heard that there was insufficient evidence linking the individual to the alleged offences.

The three men face charges including theft and money laundering. Chibuzor also faces charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Second-Hand Goods Act.

At a further court appearance on October 27, Chibuzor was formally charged with alleged contraventions of sections 49(14) and 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, as well as fraud.

His case had previously been separated from that of his co-accused while investigators verified his immigration status.

Sekhukhune and Moat were each granted R10 000 bail during their initial appearance, subject to conditions including reporting to the Kempton Park police station twice a week.

The three men have not been charged with Moselakgomo’s murder. Their cases relate to allegations surrounding the acquisition, possession and resale of her smartwatch. The allegations against them have not been proven in court.

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