NELSPRUIT- A Mozambican man arrested in connection with the dealing and possession of drugs appeared will only know of his bail application on February 6.
Mr Butuel Mannel Macuacua appeared before the Nelspruit Regional Court on January 29 where his legal aid representative told the magistrate that his client’s continued detention may results in the loss of his job as he alleges that he (suspect) was only in the country to buy his car’s body parts.
The lawyer also argues in court that his client have a right to be given bail as the constitution of the country states that “The right not to be deprived of freedom applies to all persons in South Africa where legally or not,”. He continued to say that the accused entered the country legally through the border post and is employed in his country. “The only reason why he was denied bail is that he is Mozambican whilst the constitution applies to everybody,”.
The lawyer continued to argue that there was no evidence before the court that there might be public outcry if his client is given bail and that there is no likelihood that the client might intimidate the witness in this case.
The lawyer also questioned why the suspected crystal meth which the accused was arrested of being in possession of was only send to laboratory for test on the 28th of January while the suspect was arrested on the 16th.
Macuacua was arrested along the N4 road at Matsulu turnover by Hi Tech Security officers after they received a tip off that his vehicle was suspected of smuggling drugs into the country. Police fyling squad supposedly arrived at the scene where the suspected 2,4kg of crystal meth valued R1,6m was found hidden under the steering wheel and under windscreen wipers mechanism under the hood.
The matter was postponed to February 6 and he was remanded in custody.
