Komani court denies fresh bail in Lali murder case

One of five men accused of murdering Emalahleni Local Municipality Chief Whip Xoliseka Lali has been denied bail, with the Komani Magistrates Court ruling on Tuesday that no new legal grounds had been presented to justify his release.

Mvuzo Mafanya appeared before Magistrate Ganesh Narayamsamy seeking bail on new facts. His legal representative, Luthando Toyi, told the court they would appeal the decision.

“We believe that another court would come to a different conclusion on the matter and we want this to be on record that we will be appealing the decision,” Toyi said.

In his ruling, Narayamsamy questioned the “new facts” presented. He noted Mafanya had previously testified on 29 August 2025 that his child was at a traditional school, but now cited tuition fees for the second semester as a reason for bail. The magistrate also highlighted that Mafanya’s salary had increased from R8 000 to R25 000, and that he had been in custody for 11 months.

The court placed significant weight on Mafanya’s parole status.
“Mafanya was out on parole and it expires in 2033. The defence failed to bring the information about the parole. What authority does this court have to take the duty of the parole board,” Narayamsamy said.
He ruled that without a formal directive from the Department of Correctional Services, the court could not relax parole conditions.

“Even if the court could consider the evidence on new facts, many of them are old facts,” he said. “In consideration of the facts and evidence brought before the court, bail on new facts is denied.”

Mafanya will return to court on Thursday when his legal team will formally lodge an appeal.

Accused number four, Aphiwe Mthi, is also expected to learn his bail outcome on Thursday. Co-accused Sonwabo Siko was previously denied bail, while Bavuyise Mdingi and Mthi had abandoned earlier bail applications.

All five accused will appear again on 17 August for indictments.

Lali was shot and killed last year, a case that drew widespread attention in Emalahleni and across the Chris Hani District.