UPDATE: Accused in Caiphus Nyoka murder case loses job in Iraq, bail conditions amended
The amount of R350 000.00 previously paid as bail by Stander will be returned to him upon the surrender of his passport to the State.
In a new turn of events on May 16, the State abandoned an application for leave to appeal following new developments which saw apartheid police officer Pieter Stander amending his bail conditions.
This follows the termination of his employment in Iraq, where he worked as a private military contractor.
Stander and his three co-accused, Johan Marais, Leon Louis van den Berg and Abram Hercules Engelbrecht, who were former apartheid-era security police officers, are accused of murdering anti-apartheid student activist Caiphus Nyoka 37 years ago at his Daveyton home.
The accused face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder and defeating the ends of justice.
Last month, Judge Gerhardus Botha ruled in Stander’s favour in an application he had brought to have his passport returned to him to travel to Iraq where he works. Stander was further ordered to pay R350 000 bail.
The State then applied to appeal the court’s decision that it was not in the interest of justice to amend the conditions of the applicant’s release on bail.
During the latest court appearance in the High Court sitting at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court, Stander’s founding affidavit stated it has become clear to him that he will have to spend a substantial amount of time with his legal representatives to prepare for this matter.
“My return to Iraq before my trial commences is likely to hamper my preparation. Although my employer initially indicated I could get extended leave to deal with this matter, my employer has now elected to terminate my employment.
Also Read: State to challenge Apartheid cop’s bail application
“I do not intend contesting the termination of my employment, and am accepting,” said Stander.
The court then ordered that he surrender his passport to the State and may not apply for a duplicate passport pending the outcome of the trial.
The bail amount of R350 000 Stander previously paid will be returned to him upon the surrender of his passport to the State.
The trial is expected to proceed between November 18 and December 6.
Also Read: Judge agrees to postpone murder trial of four Apartheid cops
