Bail application postponed for woman accused of deadly house fire
As a result, the bail application was postponed to Friday, July 24, when the required documents are expected to be before the court.
The bail application of a woman accused of setting her former partner and his girlfriend alight, leading to their deaths, was postponed in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday after the court was informed that key supporting documents required for her bail application were still outstanding.
Nelisiwe Zililo (36), who is charged in connection with the deaths of Mzomuhle Shezi (36) and his girlfriend, Yoliswa Ngubane, appeared before the court for her formal bail application.
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However, the matter could not proceed after the defence indicated that documentation relating to Zililo’s proposed place of residence had not yet been finalised.
The court heard that before the bail application can be considered, the defence must submit a sworn affidavit confirming the address where Zililo intends to reside should she be released on bail.
Her identity document and proof of the proposed residential address must also be provided to the court.
As a result, the bail application was postponed to Friday, July 24, when the required documents are expected to be before the court.
Zililo remains in custody.
She was arrested following a fatal house fire at France, Mpumelelo, in which her former partner, Mzomuhle Shezi, and his girlfriend, Yoliswa Ngubane, sustained severe burn injuries. Both later died in hospital.
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The State alleges that Zililo intentionally set the house alight.
She faces charges relating to the deaths, although she has not yet been asked to plead.
The allegations against her have not yet been tested in court.
Outside court, relatives of the deceased have continued to call for justice, while members of Zililo’s family have maintained that she allegedly endured years of abuse during her relationship with Shezi, allegations that have not been tested in court.
The case will return to the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on July 24 for the continuation of Zililo’s bail application.
