Longwe Twala, the 34-year-old son of renowned music mogul Chicco Twala, will remain in custody as his claims of illness were contradicted by the evidence presented in court. Longwe appeared before the Randburg Magistrates Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 4 December, after being arrested on 26 November. His arrest followed a warrant issued when he failed to attend a previous court hearing on 25 October, where he was due to face charges related to violating his bail conditions. Having been on the run for over a month, Longwe’s absence from court raised questions about his commitment to the legal process.
Initially, during his brief court appearance on 27 November, Longwe claimed that he missed his court date due to health reasons and asserted that he had informed his aunt about his condition. However, the state prosecutor swiftly challenged these claims, revealing that there was no medical evidence to back up Longwe’s assertions. Furthermore, inquiries into his family’s knowledge of his illness revealed that his aunt, whom he had reportedly informed, was unaware of any such health issue. This inconsistency raised doubts about the validity of his excuse for skipping court.
The case took a further twist when it was revealed that Longwe had failed to be located at the address he provided during his bail application. Despite listing a specific location where he claimed to reside, the investigating officer could not find any trace of him at the given address. This fueled the state’s argument that Longwe had deliberately evaded the legal process, casting doubt on his reliability and raising concerns over his future conduct.
In court, Longwe indicated his intention to apply for bail, but the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is firmly opposing his release. NPA spokeswoman Phindi Mjonondwane made it clear that Longwe had already demonstrated a disregard for the court’s conditions by failing to appear at his last hearing and not adhering to the terms of his previous bail. The prosecution plans to present further reasons to oppose his bail application, underscoring the belief that he is not trustworthy and may continue to evade the legal system.
As the case progresses, Longwe’s defense has yet to convince the court that he should be granted bail. With the NPA determined to present a strong case against his release, the upcoming bail hearing will be pivotal in determining whether he will remain in custody or be granted a second chance. His legal team faces the difficult task of convincing the court to trust Longwe, given the inconsistencies in his statements and his history of failing to comply with court orders.
The court has postponed the matter until Monday, 9 December, when Longwe’s bail hearing will take place. In the meantime, he remains behind bars as the legal process unfolds. The public and media will be closely watching the outcome of this case, as Longwe’s actions continue to spark interest, not only because of his high-profile family background but also due to the growing concerns over his conduct and adherence to the law.
