Cape Town - Unathi Sintsili, accused of being involved in a spate of shootings on Intercape bus services in the province which saw one driver killed, is out on bail.
In what was hailed as a major breakthrough the 28-year-old was arrested in August and charged with a count of murder and three counts of attempted murder following shootings of the long-distance buses in March and April this year.
In April 35-year-old bus driver Bangikhaya Mchana was shot and died three days later in hospital.
Sitsili was nabbed by a team of detectives in Klapmuts in the Cape Winelands during a tracing operation.
The State charged him under Schedule 6 and announced it would oppose his bail application.
However, according to a source, Sintsili was released last Friday due to no “collaboration of the evidence of the single witness that identified him” or “link to the commission of the crimes”.
Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said: “Unathi Sintsili’s bail was opposed by SAPS, but granted by the court. The charges against him were not withdrawn and are still underway.”
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila did not respond to questions about the bail or its conditions by deadline.
This comes as Intercape is hauling Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and Eastern Cape transport officials to Makhanda High Court where they want the government to be compelled to take decisive steps to end the violent attacks and alleged extortion.
According to the bus company, between January 2021 and February 2022, there were more than 150 shootings, stonings and other acts of violence and intimidation, including 21 shooting incidents in 2022 alone.
The incidents have since also caused a concern to the Parliament’s portfolio committee on tourism.
Briefing the committee on Tuesday, Deputy National Commissioner Tebello Mosikili, told MPs bus-related incidents included malicious injury to property, intimidation, assault, attempted murder and murder crimes .
“Statistics show that Intercape is the most targeted company, accounting for 69 cases registered for 2022/2023.”
Cape Times