The bail application by alleged killer soldier Meshack Kharivhe (38) of Mukula outside Thohoyandou took a dramatic turn at the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court last week.

The soldier, who wanted a speedy trial during his previous appearance, saying he wanted to plead guilty in the case, put his foot down and claimed no knowledge of the incident. He is facing four counts of murder. He failed in his bail bid, but was lucky to be informed of his trial date at the Thohoyandou High Court.

His appearance follows after an incident in April when he allegedly mercilessly hacked his wife, Winisani (28), his three children, Zwonaka (7), Thendo (3) and nine-month-old Maduvha, to death. The incident happened at Mukula village outside Thohoyandou.

The incident made headlines and drew widespread condemnation from all quarters, with some organizations calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty.

The formal bail application by the accused left many believing that he would be released on bail after the investigation could not put forth enough reasons why he should not be granted bail. His legal representative, Adv Maele Mushasha, put it to the court that the accused was not a flight risk as pointed out by the investigating officer since he has a fixed luxury property. He added that the conversations between the police and the accused were unconstitutional and could not be relied on. According to him, his employment with the defence force was in jeopardy as he had exhausted all his leave days.

He also put it to the court that the accused had cooperated with the police after his arrest and also volunteered to go to the police.

The state, represented by Ms Nekhumbe, described all Kharivhe’s actions as those of a desperate man wanting freedom and to evade jail time after stripping bare at the holding cells. He was observed by different psychiatrists, who declared him medically fit to stand trial. Nekhumbe said Kharive was facing charges of a serious nature. She said the interest of the community should be considered in the case.

She asked the presiding officer, Magistrate Willem Smit, not to grant bail to the accused.

Smit could not be persuaded by the testimony. He said Kharivhe was a danger to society and deserved to be tried while in custody. He refused Kharivhe bail but gave him a trial date at the Thohoyandou High Court from October 27 to 31.