The man accused of being a serial killer operating in KZN abandoned his bail attempt at the Verulam Magistrate's Court.
|||Durban - The man accused of being the serial killer operating in the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast area abandoned his bail attempt at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
S’phiwe Patrick Khoza has yet to plead to charges relating to the murder of five women, as well as charges of robbery and theft.
Khoza’s lawyer, Zanele Ndaba, told Magistrate KG Chetty that her client had not been informed of his right to remain silent before he made a second confession.
The court heard that Khoza made a second confession after his last court appearance.
He was also taken to point out locations where the crimes were allegedly committed.
Ndaba said Khoza feared that he would be assaulted if he had not co-operated.
She said Khoza indicated that he was kicked at and spat on by a policeman at the uThongathi police station.
Ndaba said she advised the detective branch commander, Colonel Ronnie Heeralall that any confession by Khoza would be under duress.
Ndaba said she informed Heeralall about the assault.
Ndaba said Heeralall refused to acknowledge the assault on Khoza.
Prosecutor Sagra Subrayan said that she was told by Heeralall that Khoza’s lawyers were informed about the second confession and the pointing out.
Subrayan said the defence indicated that Khoza co-operated because he feared his family would be in danger if he did not comply.
Ndaba’s concerns were noted in the docket.
The defence made an application for Khoza to be held at Westville prison because he believed he would be assaulted at uThongathi.
Ndaba indicated that Khoza would not be pleading at this stage. The court heard that the matter would eventually be heard at the High Court.
The matter was postponed to August 29 and, in leg chains, Khoza exited the packed court room covering his face with the hood of his jacket.
It has been alleged that Khoza had operated in uThongathi, in the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast area, and was responsible for the murders of five women, including Nongoma teacher Philisiwe Hlatshwayo.
The bodies were found 3km from each other in the sugar cane fields.
Another victim was Phindile Ndlovu, a 44-year-old Hillcrest domestic worker.
Daily News
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