Shocking revelations of events that transpired in Clover-murder during bail application

Nkosinathi Mbatha and Mohale Shokane, the two persons who are being accused of the murder of Terence Tegg, the ex-Recce who died during the Clover-strike, as well as attempted murder on J.J. Cassanga, one of the guards who sustained serious injuries during the brutal attack, applied for bail in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court today. AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit is currently assisting Michelle Bebbington, who was engaged to Tegg, as well as the Cassanga-family to ensure that the case receives the attention it deserves. The State opposed the bail application and called Capt. Robert George Seckle, the investigating officer in the case, as a witness.

Seckle testified that the victims were ambushed and that Tegg was brutally beaten an stoned to death. He also testified that some of the striking workers who arrived in three busses at Clover’s premises in Olifantsfontein on 17 February 2022, also tried to overturn the security vehicle onto Tegg’s body. Furthermore, both Tegg and Cassanga were robbed of their shotguns and Tegg’s wallet was also stolen during the attack.

After the attack on Tegg, three of the other security guards who were trying to ward off the attackers with rubber bullets could get into the premises. Seckle testified that the attackers followed them after which they tackled Cassanga to the ground, robbed him of his shotgun and proceeded to viciously hit him in the head with the butt of the weapon while holding it at the barrel.

Seckle also testified that the accused persons should not be released on bail, because there are still more suspects and that the names of his witnesses are now public. This means that the accused persons could possibly intimidate the witnesses, destroy evidence, warn other suspects and pose a flight risk. He was also adamant that the State has a strong case and that a guilty verdict is likely. However, after the proceedings he was threatened outside of court by the supporters of the accused persons.

“We will continue to support Michelle, the Tegg family and the Cassanga-family, as well as assisting the investigating officer and the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure that justice is done. The testimony that was given in court today is truly shocking and shows the brutality of the attack and that the victims were deliberately ambushed with the purpose of doing them harm,” says Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head of AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit.