Two men charged in connection with the attempted assassination of SARS advocate Coreth Naude have requested additional time to consult with their families to support their bail application. This development took place during a bail hearing at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Naude was working on a high-profile tax case involving businesswoman and Royal AM FC owner Shauwn Mkhize and her son Andile at the time of the attack. The incident occurred in July when gunmen ambushed Naude in the parking garage of a hotel in Umhlanga, Durban.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to evidence presented in court, the attack took place on July 18, shortly after Naude left a tax inquiry at Cox Yeats Attorneys in Umhlanga Ridge. While driving her Mercedes-Benz, she was followed by a colleague in a rented Citroën C3. A silver Toyota Corolla stopped near the entrance as they approached the Premier Hotel’s parking area at around 4:07 p.m.
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Two men accused of the attempted assassination of a SARS advocate in court-Image Source@IOLTwo armed men exited the Corolla and headed toward Naude’s vehicle. One suspect shot at Naude through the driver’s side window, while the other suspect targeted her colleague, who managed to drive away before any shots were fired at her.
Naude, despite being wounded, managed to drive into the parking lot and sought help on the second floor. A doctor on the scene, identified as Dr. Buthelezi, applied pressure to her wounds and called for an ambulance. Naude was taken to Umhlanga Hospital, where she underwent surgery after being shot four times in the neck, shoulder, and chest.
Investigation and Evidence
Investigating officer Warrant Officer Praved Maharaj, attached to the provincial serious crime unit, testified that the investigation team quickly gathered CCTV footage from the Premier Hotel and began tracing the getaway vehicle. The footage clearly captured the attack, showing how the suspects carried out the ambush.
Prosecutor Veneshree Moodley opposed bail, citing concerns that the accused were flight risks. She highlighted that they had previously been granted bail in unrelated vehicle theft cases but failed to appear in court.
Arguments for and Against Bail
Moodley argued that the seriousness of the charges and the potential threat to the victim justified denying bail. She emphasized that Naude’s attackers could easily track her down again as she continued to use the exact vehicle they targeted during the initial attack.
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Defence attorney Thando Manzi, representing the accused, requested more time for his clients to consult with their families in Cape Town to prepare a more vigorous bail application. He insisted that the accused were not flight risks and that their release would not disrupt public order or the justice system.