By Kaya 959 Reporter
The Gauteng High Court has dismissed bail for alleged murder mastermind Ntuthuko Shoba.
Shoba is accused of plotting his girlfriend, Tshegofatso Pule’s murder.
On Wednesday Judge Nomondo Mngqibisa-Thusi said she was not convinced that the previous courts erred in their decision to deny Shoba bail.
“I am not convinced that the court erred in the exercise of its discretion in finding that the appellant had failed to discharge the onus to prove that exceptional circumstances exist permitting his release on bail,” Thusi said.
It was Shoba’s third attempt at a bail application.
He has been charged with premeditated murder and was previously denied bail twice in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court.
WATCH: Remembering Tshegofatso Pule
Family welcomes court decision
Meanwhile, Pule’s family has hailed the National Prosecuting Authority for their efforts in securing a no-bail ruling.
Pule family spokesperson Tumisang Katake called it “another milestone”.
“Like we have said, we have always had confidence in the strength of the case but this proves that it was a job well done for the NPA,” News24 quoted Katake as saying.
Pule’s body was found hanging from a tree in June last year. She was believed to have been pregnant by Shoba for a second time. She was allegedly “forced” to abort the first pregnancy.
Shoba was nabbed by police in February after hitman Muzikayise Malephane revealed him as the mastermind behind Pule’s murder.
Malephane then entered into a plea agreement with the state and is serving a 20-year jail term.
Shoba is due back in court next month when the trial is due to get underway.
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