No bail for Doris

Doris Mthembi briefly appeared in the Louis Trichardt Regional Court on Wednesday, 14 December.

Her legal team had high hopes to bring an urgent bail application. They, however, had to settle for another postponement, the reason being that the court had trails to finalize that preceded Mthembi’s case.

In addition, the court was also informed by the state prosecutor that clarity needed to be obtained as to whether the bail application should not be heard in the High Court, since it was the High Court which revoked Mthembi’s bail in the first place.

Mthembi has been behind bars since 3 December. She was ordered to go back to jail on 11 November, after her appeal to the High Court failed. The 44-year-old Mthembi was handed down a six-year direct imprisonment sentence (for a term of 10 years, of which four were suspended) during 2013, when she was found guilty of perjury. She had lied about being kidnapped and raped at gunpoint by her former husband, businessman Goddard Mugwena.

After a brief court appearance, Mthembi’s case was postponed until 24 January 2017. She will remain in custody until then.

News in brief - Date: 14 December 2016

Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

Email: [email protected]