[PHOTOS+VIDEO] Krugersdorp cops face more nights behind bars
Supporters left the Krugersdorp Magistrates' Court disappointed after the bail application of the three Krugersdorp cops had been postponed.
Roads were closed and cordoned off in the vicinity of the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court in anticipation of the bail application of the three Krugersdorp Police officers accused of ‘executing’ a robbery suspect.
All of them are facing a Schedule 5 charge of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
Constables Titus Mabela and Jason Segole as well as Sergeant Puleng Sebetwa faced the magistrate once again this morning (10 November) to apply for bail while thousands of supporters showed solidarity inside and outside the court.
The three officers’ legal representative read the three affidavits, stating reasons why they should be granted bail. All three pleaded innocent to the crimes they are being accused of. They stated they would be able to afford bail of R3 000 each.
In the affidavits the officers described how they were called into the station on 2 November and arrested. Despite having spent nine days in police custody already they have not been suspended from the force yet.
Mabela has been employed at the Krugersdorp Police since 8 August 2007. He and his unemployed wife are expecting a baby.
Segole, who has been in Krugersdorp Police’s service since 19 November 2003, has two children whom he supports financially. He handed in his passport during the bail application.
Sebetwa has been serving the community since 13 July 2009. He is married and has three children.
The affidavits state that since the CCTV footage had surfaced, the officers neither tried to flee nor hide. They believe they pose no flight risk and are no danger to either the community or the five state witnesses.
The officers’ advocates as well as the Ipid investigating officer pleaded their cases for the bail application.
The magistrate looked at the CCTV footage that had surfaced first, showing the three officers allegedly gunning down a suspect in Lewisham earlier in October.
The court also heard briefly how some forms of crime had decreased in Krugersdorp in the last year, which is attributed to the hard work and dedication of the members of the Krugersdorp Police.
However, just before lunch the accused heard they would have to wait in custody for the magistrate’s ruling until 13 November. Disappointed supporters made their way outside the court to join the other protesters.
Articles related to this story:
• Mpanza killing: one officer released on bail
• Krugersdorp police’s station commander suspended
• Suspect lies in pool of blood after ‘execution’
