Clover-attacks: Bail application of three accused progressing

AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit was in the Thembisa Magistrate’s Court today to once again represent Michele Bebbington, as well as the Cassanga-family. The bail application of Lesiba Mantsi, Melford Rammutla and Ralph Shingane resumed today after it was previously postponed on 6 June 2022. The application was postponed on the previous occasion because the defense brought an application for access to the video footage of the incidents. However, the court dismissed this application today.

The three accused, as well as Mohale Shokane and Nkosinathi Mbatha (whose bail application has already been denied) are being accused of, amongst other crimes, the murder of Terence Tegg, the ex-recce who was murdered on 17 February 2022 during the Clover-strike, as well as attempted murder on J.J. Cassanga, one of the guards who sustained serious injuries during the brutal attack.

The State, as during the bail proceedings of the first two accused, called the investigating officer, Capt. Robert George Seckle, to testify. He testified about what took place during the incidents, as well as stating that there is video footage of the three accused that place them at the scene of the crime. Seckle also testified that the SAPS arrested Mantsi, Rammutla and Shingane when they arrived at Clover to be reinstated after the strike.

“We welcome the court’s ruling that the accused persons are not entitled to the video footage for the purposes of the bail proceedings. We also want to compliment Capt. Seckle on the testimony given, as well as the prosecutor, Adv. L. Randima. The unit is confident that the bail applications will be concluded shortly and that the criminal case will be able to proceed with all the necessary accused persons before the court,” says Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head of AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit.

The bail application will resume on 11 July 2022.