The husband accused of shooting his wife last December has been granted R30 000 bail.

The case involving the father of two, Sifiso Dlamini, who is accused of shooting his wife in the pelvic area in full view of their children, was postponed to March 14.

He appeared in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court last Thursday where he was granted bail, on the condition that he doesn’t make direct or indirect contact with his wife, who is still in hospital.

One of the magistrate’s reasons for granting him bail was because he is one of the main caregivers of their two children, who were in the care of friends while the mother was in hospital and he was in jail.

Dlamini allegedly shot his wife before attempting to take his own life on December 16 at the Aloe Ridge Complex.

Detective Constable Jabu Mndebele testified previously in court that Dlamini’s wife suffered severe injuries, including a burst urethra, and underwent multiple surgeries.

During the bailing hearing, members of the ANC Women’s League gasped in shock when they heard the wife requesting her husband be released, citing financial dependency, particularly for their autistic son’s medical expenses and the maintenance of their lifestyle.

The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, released a media statement a day before the court appearance, where he condemned alleged coercion, saying that Dlamini allegedly offered his wife R1m to resolve the matter.

The court also heard that Dlamini had allegedly planned the attack months before the incident. The gun has since been confiscated by the police.

The detective read a witness statement from a friend of Dlamini who spoke about the couple’s marital troubles.

The accused allegedly suspected that his wife had been unfaithful.