The man accused of driving the vehicle used to transport the gunmen who killed Dunoon community activist and councillor Sinovuyo Dyokwe has abandoned his bail application.

The accused appeared in court this week, when the state highlighted his previous convictions. According to Democratic Alliance MP Nicholas Gotsell, he had two previous convictions and was also facing pending murder and robbery charges.

Accused allegedly transported Dyokwe’s killers

According to a video Gotsell posted on social media, the state alleged the accused drove the vehicle that transported the gunmen who fired 10 shots at Dyokwe after she had left the local-government registration table she had been managing.

She was shot dead in Dunoon on 20 June after spending the day assisting residents with voter registration.

AsTygerBurger previously reported, Dyokwe had also raised concerns about alleged extortion. In an affidavit she described being pressured to pay protection money, threatened when she refused and living in fear after becoming politically active in her community.

Court rejects bid to stop media coverage

Gotsell said the accused had attempted to hide his face during his first court appearance and that his attorney again opposed media coverage of the proceedings.

The magistrate dismissed the application to prevent the proceedings from being filmed, saying the accused’s face was visible to those in the gallery regardless.

Gotsell described the situation as ironic, saying communities live in fear of extortionists while those accused of such crimes attempt to hide from public scrutiny.

“Extortion thrives in the shadows,” he said. “Justice demands transparency.”

Extortion fears deepen

He said Dyokwe’s murder was about more than one person, raising concerns about whether organised extortion syndicates were attempting to intimidate community leaders and interfere with democratic participation.

Gotsell also referred to reports of two more people being murdered in Witsand in incidents believed to be linked to extortion.

“Our communities live in fear of these extortionists every day,” he said, calling for people to come forward and report threats while urging authorities to ensure police have the resources to act against extortion syndicates.

Gotsell said everyone who planned, facilitated or carried out such crimes must be brought to book.

The allegations against the accused have not been proven in court.

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