Bail denied for man accused of killing South African champion racing driver

The three men accused of the murder of South African champion racing driver Robert Wolk appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 2 October.

The Kempton Express reported that one of the accused, Khotso Richard Mashao, had his bail application heard in court, while his co-accused – Hlangananani Shezi and Muziwethu Mthethwa – await legal representation.

The trio are facing several charges related to Wolk’s death, including murder, possession of a suspected hijacked or stolen motor vehicle and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

In his bail application, Mashao’s legal representative read an affidavit in which the accused denied all involvement in Wolk’s murder, alleging that he was assaulted in police custody and forced to confess to the murder.

The court heard that the accused and the victim were colleagues, and that Wolk was Mashao’s senior. According to the affidavit, the two got along, and Mashao had no reason to harm Wolk.

Mashao’s defence argued that he had not been arrested before, had no pending cases, and had no restraining orders against him, adding that he posed no danger to the public and would not interfere with the investigation.

The state opposed Mashao’s offer of R5,000 bail, which included complying with any conditions imposed by the court, with evidence it said linked Mashao to the murder.

According to the state, investigators are in possession of a voice note in which he allegedly confesses to the murder.

The court also heard that the getaway vehicle seen fleeing the scene of Wolk’s murder – a blue VW Jetta – was located in Thembisa with Mthethwa allegedly in possession of its keys.

The state added that Mthethwa then led police to Shezi, who told investigators that he knew about the shooting and claimed to be responsible for shooting Wolk.

Mashao’s bail application was refused with the magistrate finding the state had a strong case against him, despite no motive established. The accused remains in custody until his next court appearance on 10 November.

Legal representatives who were meant to represent Mashao’s co-accused informed the court that they would no longer represent Shezi and Mthethwa.

The two men were advised to seek alternative legal representation and chose representation by state-appointed counsel. They are expected back in court on 6 October.

Wolk’s murder alleged to be part of a wider plot

During the proceedings, the court heard that Wolk’s murder was part of a wider plot to kill four people, and that Mashao had hired Shezi and Mthethwa to help carry out the hit.

The state alleged that Mashao arrived at work with the two men but did not find the intended targets, although they spotted Wolk driving away and followed him.

According to the allegations, the trio used the blue Jetta to collide with Wolk’s vehicle in Esther Park, Kempton Park, shooting him when he stepped out to inspect the damage.

In a widely shared video of the incident, Wolk is seen pleading with the accused not to shoot him, but despite this, the racing driver was shot in the back as he walked away.

The occupants are seen picking up something from the ground, which the court has since heard was the victim’s cellphone.

The court heard that Mthethwa told investigators he had taken Wolk’s cellphone at the scene and had given it to a Nigerian national.

According to the state, the individual confirmed to police that Mthethwa had brought him the cellphone.

The court also heard that the getaway vehicle had been hijacked on 15 August and that its original owner was shot seven times in the stomach during the hijacking.

Police have since confirmed that the vehicle has been linked to other serious crimes.

The matter remains before court, with the allegations against the accused not yet tested at trial.