Child murder suspect Tasliem “Thaliem” Bianchi will spend another Christmas behind bars after his urgent bail application was denied in the Western Cape High Court.
The alleged leader of the Junky Funky Kidz gang from Parkwood is one of five people accused of killing Ezra Daniels, seven, who was hit by a stray bullet in the neck while he was playing in Abdullah Moosa Walk on 3 September 2017.
According to the State’s case, Thaliem along with Ikeraam Bianchi, Marlon Neehuis, Kimberley Solomons and Kelly Daniels were travelling in a white VW Golf when Thaliem allegedly tried to shoot a member of the Americans gang, but missed and hit Ezra instead.
They have since been charged with murder, two attempted murders, contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) and the unlawful possession of ammunition and a firearm.
In his application, Thaliem denied firing the fatal shot, but blamed Aidan Brown of the Americans gang of shooting and then running away. This despite the results of a primer residue test showing only he tested positive.
GUNNED DOWN: Ezra Daniels
Co-accused Daniels also submitted an affidavit in support of his release, claiming she was drunk on the day they were arrested and allegedly threatened by cops to sign a statement; her version of what happened has since changed.
Judge Lister Nuku denied the bail application, citing the possibility of Thaliem interfering with witnesses, the primer residue test and his failure to disclose a previous guilty conviction on a robbery charge.
“The accused has filed an affidavit by Ms Daniels which will suggest that Ms Daniels had made a statement to police and now wants to distance herself. This would suggest that the accused may have already asked his co-accused to tailor her statement,” said Nuku.
The case has been postponed to 8 February 2019 for pre-trial.