Staff Reporter.
The third bail application of the alleged mastermind behind Tshegofatso Pule’s murder – Ntuthuko Shoba – has been dismissed in the High Court in Johannesburg.
The ruling was delivered on Wednesday by Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi.
“I am not convinced that the court a quo erred in the exercise of its discretion in finding that the appellant had failed to discharge the onus to prove that exceptional circumstances exist permitting his release on bail,” said Thusi.
As a result, Shoba’s third attempt to be granted bail was dismissed.
He had approached the High Court in a bid for bail just weeks shy of the pending murder trial.
Shoba, who is facing a schedule 6 premeditated murder charge, was initially denied bail in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court in March. He applied again in May, and it was again declined.
The initial bail application was denied after he failed to prove exceptional circumstances for his release.
The trial is scheduled to begin on 4 October.