NELSPRUIT – The bail application for a Mozambican man arrested in connection with drug dealing was postponed to April 1.
Mr Butuel Mannel Macuacua briefly appeared in the Nelspruit District Court on Thursday where the matter was postponed.
His Legal Aid representative previously told the magistrate his client’s continued detention might result in the loss of his job as he alleged that he (suspect) was only in the country to buy body parts for his vehicle.The lawyer also argued that his client had a right bail as the constitution of the country stated that: “The right not to be deprived of freedom applies to all persons in South Africa whether legally or not”. He added that the accused had entered the country legally through the border post and was employed in his country. “The only reason why he was denied bail was that he is Mozambican while the constitution applies to everybody”.
The lawyer continued to argue that there was no evidence before the court that there might be a public outcry if his client was given bail and there was no likelihood that accused might intimidate the witness in this case.
The lawyer also questioned why the suspected crystal meth in the accused’s possession during the arrest was only sent to the laboratory for testing on January 28 while the suspect had already been arrested on the 16th.
Macuacua was apprehended on the N4at the Matsulu turn-off by Hi -ech Security officers after they had received a tip-off that his vehicle was smuggling drugs into the country. The police’s flying squad supposedly arrived on the scene where the suspected 2,4kg of crystal meth valued at R1,6 million was found hidden under the steering wheel and under the windscreen wipers of the vehicle.
