The defence for two men accused of the attempted murder of a SARS prosecutor will be consulting them about their previous convictions as detailed by the investigating officer during their bail application in the Durban Magistrate's Court yesterday.

News24 reports that after hearing the accused and the investigating officer's affidavit, Magistrate Ashwin Singh was ready to give his ruling.

However, the men's attorney, Thandukwazi Manzi, asked that the matter be adjourned.

Siyanda Emmanual Mbulwana and Mcebisi Corlen Runeyi stand accused of the attempted murder of Advocate Coreth Naude, who was shot in the neck and face in Durban in July 2024.

In his bail affidavit, investigating officer warrant officer Praved Maharaj said Mbulwana was convicted in a 2016 Khayelitsha assault matter and had a pending 2023 case in Kleinvlei for possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Maharaj said Runeyi had warrants of arrest for the theft of a motor vehicle in Fish Hoek in 2023 and another theft of a motor vehicle case in Harare, Khayelitsha, also in 2023.

He said that Runeyi's criminal record also reflected that he had four withdrawn cases: a Kuilsrivier 2022 possession of housebreaking equipment, a 2021 Milnerton possession of housebreaking equipment, a 2013 Khayelitsha public violence case, and a 2012 Khayelitsha common robbery case.

‘The attempted murder was carried out in a brazen manner, and the applicants (allegedly) used no form of disguise and had no consideration for other members of the public as there was a security guard present when the shooting occurred, and he had to flee for his life,’ said Maharaj in his affidavit calling for the accused to be refused bail.

He said the state had a prima facie case against the accused, adding that if granted bail, they would likely commit the same or similar offences.

The bail ruling will be handed down on 20 February.

Full News24 report