Cape Argus News

Court denies bail to alleged axe murderer in Atlantis

Robin-Lee Francke|Published

Mogamat 'Ikie' Tabisher has been deemed a danger to the community.

Image: Supplied

The Atlantis man who is alleged to have murdered his mother-in-law by attacking her with an axe has been denied bail in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court. 

Moegamat ‘Ikie’ Tabisher, 35, tried his utmost to convince the court of his innocence and had a lengthy bail application. 

Tabisher faces a charge of murder after he allegedly bludgeoned his mother-in-law, Janet Jordan, 67, with an axe, and further faces a charge of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 

Tabisher appeared in court in a wheelchair with a cast around his leg. The injuries were sustained after community members attacked and assaulted him on the day of the incident on January 26.

The incident took place in Pearl Mansion in Avondale, Atlantis.

Image: Google Maps

He was officially arrested on February 9 and has been under police guard while recovering in the hospital.

While testifying in his own defence during his bail application, Tabisher claimed that a neighbour murdered Jordan. He told the court he only took away the axe from the neighbour and ran to a vehicle with his box of wine. Tabisher claimed he went to the vehicle to ‘just sit inside’. 

The court heard that Tabisher has 10 other pending matters dating back to 2015, including charges of rape, attempted rape and malicious damage to property.

Tabisher also has a separate ongoing case where he is alleged to have murdered his uncle.

The matter is being heard in the Atlantis Magistrate's Court.

Image: File

The State vehemently opposed his release, stating that he was not only a danger to the community, but also that his life was in danger, as illustrated by him currently sitting in a wheelchair. 

The State has set out to prove that Tabisher had argued with his wife on the night of the incident after she reportedly denied him sex. He allegedly started assaulting his wife, and his mother-in-law, who had stepped in to save her daughter. She was struck twice on the head.

The vicious attack took place in front of three minor children. 

The court heard that members of the community were trying to assist and assaulted Tabisher when he wanted to flee with his box of wine in one hand and the axe in the other. He was soon found hiding underneath a vehicle near a shopping complex. 

Jordan was rushed to the hospital but died a week later due to the extent of her injuries.

Delivering judgment, the magistrate found Tabisher to be a danger to the community and denied his bail application. 

The matter has been postponed until July 2. 

[email protected]

IOL

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now.