The Gqeberha High Court has reserved judgment in the overturning of the lower court’s decision to deny murder accused Nokuthula Noqekwa’s bail application yesterday, November 27. She is accused of orchestrating the murder of her ex-husband, Dr Bantu Noqekwa, on May 3 this year. Bantu was brutally shot and murdered in his medical practice in Zwide by hitmen allegedly hired by his ex-wife.
According to court documents, the 47-year-old mother of three is appealing against the New Brighton Court’s decision to refuse her bail application, as there was fundamental misdirection in the bail proceedings.
Noqekwa’s legal representative, Advocate Bongo Mvinjelwa, stated that Noqekwa should be released as she is the primary caregiver of the minor child.
Mvinjelwa said before the court that Noqekwa’s “incarceration has a negative impact on the minor child.”
“The magistrate did not attach significance to the appellant’s liberty, her personal circumstances, or the hardship which would be caused to her family by her continued detention,” he added.
The state prosecutor, Vuyani Vaveki, argued that Noqekwa is a flight risk and should remain in custody due to events before her arrest on June 6 in Cape Town.
Vaveki said after the murder of Dr Noqekwa, Nokuthula took her minor son out of school during their June exam period and went to Cape Town.
“Her phone was off, and she was aware that the police wanted to contact her,” Vaveki said.
Vaveki added, ” She would overwhelm the state witness, that is her son.
“Due to them having a mutually healthy mother and son relationship, the state believes that the capacity influences the son.”
He added that the minor son has various support systems willing to care for the child.
“The minor child has a support system, and there is a family friend who is willing and able to support the child.”
The PE Express, in the meantime, has also learned that the minor child is currently being taken care of by close family friends.
Noqekwa is accused of orchestrating the murder of her former husband, Dr Bantu Noqekwa.
Bantu was brutally shot and murdered in medical practice in Zwide on Wednesday, May 3, by the hitmen allegedly hired by his ex-wife.
Judgment is reserved.
