'TAXI STABBER' DENIED BAIL

A taxi driver who went viral on social media after he stabbed a motorist with an Okapi knife was denied bail at the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Monday.

Mthuthuzeli Sikhweza, 28, from Philippi, returned to the dock and heard arguments in his bail application facing charges of attempted murder and reckless and negligent driving.

Footage of the violent attack which occurred on 26 June at the intersection of Canon and Voortrekker Road in Maitland went viral after the accused was seen stabbing the victim Zain Pandey, 47, multiple times.

Sikhewza previously brought an affidavit to support his bail application stating that it would be in the interest of justice for him to be released as he has been innie mang since 14 July and is the breadwinner of his family.

The court also heard an affidavit by his mother pleading for her son’s release and from his boss.

His lawyer told the court: “The accused always maintained good manners to police. According to the investigating officer before the arrest was made an attempt was made to call the accused before court, but he was in the Eastern Cape.

“He later handed himself over. The state has put forward the view that they are only opposing bail due to how the incident happened and are relying on information from the investigating officer due to the facts of the case and video on social media.

“The video which has received more than 1M views/reactions should not be taken as a ground to oppose bail. Just because the video was trending does not mean he should be opposed to bail.”

The court previously heard testimony from the investigating officer to support the state’s case to oppose Sikhewza’s bail.

His lawyer further stated that despite his client having two previous cases of negligent driving one case was withdrawn and the other case has no elements of violence.

He further argued that the investigating officer said the case was related to taxi violence which he disagreed saying the incident was “pure road rage and no taxi violence occurred in this matter.”

The state argued that they are not opposing bail due to the video, but rather due to his two previous cases of negligent driving and that the accused did not have a valid driving permit.

They further argued that the medical report stated that the victim suffered eight stab wound injuries to his back, neck and abdomen.

The court heard given these reasons if bail conditions were to be imposed Sikhweza would not be a suitable candidate for bail.

The court heard that if he was not denied bail, there is a likelihood that he would endanger public safety and evade his trial.

The case was postponed to 7 September for further investigation.