Pretoria court denies bail to three in e-hailing driver murder case

<p>Accused Goitsione Machidi, 25, McClaren Mushwana, 30, and Thabang Kenneth Mothwa, 27, appeared at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where bail was denied in the murder case of an e-hailing driver in Atteridgeville.</p>

<p>Image: supplied</p>

<p>The Pretoria Magistrate's Court has denied bail to three accused linked to the killing of a 23-year-old e-hailing driver, in a case the State says involves premeditated murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.</p>

<p>The decision was handed down on Tuesday in the matter involving Goitsione Machidi, 25, McClaren Mushwana, 30, and Thabang Kenneth Mothwa, 27.</p>

<p>National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said they are charged alongside three other accused, Dikeledi Tears Mphela, 24, Tumishang Mogau Mabutla, 23, and Ofentse Senwamadi, 18, who previously abandoned their bail applications.</p>

<p>"It is alleged that the six accused acted in common purpose to kill the e-hailing driver and rob him of his cellphone and vehicle in Atteridgeville on 11 February 2026," Mahanjana said.</p>

<p>According NPA, the Pretoria Magistrate's Court has denied bail to three accused, Machidi, Mushwana, and Mothwa, 27.</p>

<p>The State further alleges that “the six accused acted in common purpose to kill the e-hailing driver and rob him of his cellphone and vehicle in Atteridgeville on 11 February 2026.”</p>

<p>Investigations by the South African Police Service led to the arrest of all six suspects at different stages during February 2026.</p>

<p>Although all six initially abandoned their bail applications, Machidi, Mushwana and Mothwa later renewed their bid for release, arguing that the State’s case was weak.</p>