Ex-SAA board member Yakhe Kwinana granted bail [VIDEOS]

Former SAA board member Yakhe Kwinana has been granted bail of R2 000 by the East London Magistrate’s Court.

Magistrate Luthando Screetch handed down the judgment on Friday following days of heated arguments between the state and defence.

Kwinana bail judgment

Screetch ruled that if released on bail Kwinana, would not “undermine or jeopardise the objectives or the proper functioning of the criminal justice system or the bail system”.

“I am satisfied that, indeed, the applicant before the court has discharged the onus that is set on her. Indeed, in the interests of justice, I do permit her release. It is ordered that the accused be granted bail in the sum of R2 000,” Screetch ruled.

WATCH: Magistrate Luthando Screetch handing down bail judgment

[BREAKING] Court grants former SAA board member Yakhe Kwinana R2 000 bail in her extortion case. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/UVmTCPIUtK

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Jubilation broke out in the court when Kwinana was granted bail.

The state had opposed bail, arguing that Kwinana was a flight risk, pointing to her departure from East London on March 4 after the demolitions of residents’ homes in Bhongweni village

Kwinana elated

Kwinana was elated after being granted bail.

“Thank you very much, thank you to my family and thanks to my tenants. I will wait until the end of the case,” Kwinana said when asked if she would take action against the state.

[BREAKING NEWS] Former SAA board member Yakhe Kwinana has been granted R2,000 bail. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/lAi5mqgRae

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ALSO READ: Kwinana ‘collapsed and cannot breathe properly in the cells’, argued her lawyer

Charges

Earlier in the hearing, a new state witness in the case denied claims that police had failed to identify themselves during Kwinana's arrest.

During court proceedings on Wednesday, Kwinana claimed that officers “snatched” her, leaving her with bruises on her arms, which she showed the court.

“I prepared a table and my file, which I think is relevant for these charges, which I was going to take them through. To my surprise, they came and filled the house with guns and balaclavas. I was so shocked I thought I was being kidnapped,” she said.

However, arresting officer Rodney Javan testified that he showed his badge and introduced himself during Kwinana’s arrest.

“We made use of marked vehicles. I was dressed in the same manner I am today, but I had my bullet and battle jacket. The other members were all dressed in their full tactical gear. When I entered the house, I introduced myself, even providing a name badge for her identifying myself.”  

ALSO READ: WATCH: ‘I will sue the state’: Kwinana shouts as drama unfolds in court

Interference

Kwinana's defence attorney, Zama Somahele, earlier accused external parties of interfering in the matter, claiming suspicious delays and outside interests were influencing the bail proceedings.

Somahele also raised concerns over state prosecutor Bukho Ntsaluba’s actions, alleging unusual consultations with individuals not directly involved in the case.

“There is, your worship, a suspicious hand in all this. I've been working with Mr Ntsaluba various times on many other cases, but your worship, there has never been an instance that the defence experienced such delays as this one in this case," Somahele said.

“There's nothing complex about this matter. Nothing requires any assistance from any other person outside these proceedings. But now we see their interest in other people outside this proceeding to proceed with this matter.

“I know they are from the state. They are the prosecution, but now this interest requires that a capable prosecutor be present before this honourable court. They must always consult and come back with instructions on how to proceed with a proceeding that is very suspicious,” Somahele said.

‘Reign of terror’: Land, firearm, damage to property and theft

It is alleged that Kwinana terrorised residents of Bhongweni village outside East London using armed security personnel and heavy machinery to demolish the homes of tenants who had built houses on land she reportedly owns. Kwinana said the land belonged to her family business.

She also faces charges of malicious damage to property, theft and pointing a firearm.

When residents refused to pay rent, Kwinana allegedly demolished their housing structures with the help of heavily armed security guards.

Police described Kwinana’s arrest as the end of her “reign of terror”.   

ALSO READ: WATCH: Elderly Kwinana says prison is not good for her health