Judge Phillip Loubser delivered his judgment and dismissed Clive Tshivenga's new application. The suspect, who is a former official from the South African National Defence Force, is among five suspects who were arrested five to six years ago for allegedly plotting and killing Siemens on 10 May 2018. He was implicated in the murder of Siemens via accused 1 and mastermind Stanley Bakili.

In a court document, Tshivenga said the state has not presented real evidence against him before the close of the state's case. He said the state, in fact, just produced evidence relating to cell phone records and video footage showing him in the company of the hitman Xolisile Botha Mbebetho, who is already serving a 22-year jail term.

He said the evidence did not establish anything against him and therefore the state's case is weak. He has been in jail since 2019.

The trial of the Siemens case has been postponed often for extended periods. The court has been dealing with the matter since 2019.

Five men are standing trial for the murder of Siemens, including Bakili, who had dealings with the deceased. He was murdered in cold blood in the parking lot of Preller Square in Bloemfontein. Some of the accused were caught by the police in 2018 and have been denied bail on two accusations. 

Siemens was shot four times by two hitmen. Mbebetho is already serving a 22-year jail sentence. A repeat offender, Mojalefa Jali Molusi, is among the six in custody.  

Suspects in the murder of Siemens include Bakili, Tshivenga, Molosi, disbarred advocate Karabo Tau, and Information Technology specialist Sizwe Mpati.

The trial is set to resume in 2024 and all accused are still in custody.

OFM News