In October last year, advocate Pete Mihalik was gunned down outside Reddam House in Green Point, whilst dropping off his eight-year-old son at school.

Immediately, attention turned to the cases he was involved in, with many believing the murder may have been connected to the trial of alleged extortion syndicate boss Nafiz Modack.

His father believed, at the time, that the murder was about money, and police took three men into custody in the days that followed.

Fast forward to yesterday, and the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court denied Sizwe Biyela, Nkosinathi Khumalo and Vuyile Maliti bail.

Taxi boss Maliti is believed to have hired Biyela and Khumalo, who are suspected hitmen from KwaZulu-Natal, to carry out the murder. Judging by the evidence, a conviction may be forthcoming.

Here’s TimesLIVE:

The court found that the state’s evidence, including cell phone records and Biyela and Khumalo’s statements, strong enough to keep them behind bars. All three face a count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. They intend pleading not guilty…

According to the state, Maliti hired the car that was used in the alleged hit. It was also placed at the crime scene the day before.

The state says they have obtained footage that shows two vehicles fleeing the scene of the shooting, with the same car later stopped by a traffic officer in Green Point.

Maliti was issued a fine, and lied about where he lived whilst doing so, whilst Biyela was arrested at a bus depot on his way to Durban.

“Cell phone detailed billing pertaining to all three accused were obtained and, after analysis thereof, connect the perpetrators with each other prior to and on the day of the incident,” the state said in court papers.

“It also places them at the crime scene the day before as well as the morning of the murder. [Maliti] exchanged 11 Kruger Rands for R200,000 in Claremont, shortly after the murder, presumably as partial payment for the ‘job’. Based on the evidence emanating from the detailed billing of [Biyela and Khumalo’s] cell phones, he obtained their services and persuaded them to come from [KwaZulu-Natal] to execute the ‘hit’.”

Given what we know about the cost of hitmen these days, especially in the wake of the Marc Batchelor murder, R200 000 for two hitmen fits the bill.

No date has yet been set for the trial.

[source:timeslive]