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Big Joe cites pending cases in most recent bail application

Joseph ‘Big Joe’ Nyalungu appeared in the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court on October 18 following his arrest when officials found some explosives and ammunition for a high-calibre rifle.

The Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court heard about a number of pending cases against the controversial Joseph ‘Big Joe’ Nyalungu during his bail application on October 18.

Nyalungu (60) was arrested on October 15 after the National Police Intervention Unit and the Hawks raided his workshop in Mkhuhlu and allegedly found explosives and ammunition for a high-calibre rifle. He appeared in court the day after and was remanded in custody pending his next court appearance on Friday, October 18, for the bail application.

ALSO READ: Big Joe arrested for possession of explosives

In his attempt to convince the presiding magistrate that he was a good candidate for bail, Nyalungu called the court’s attention to his behaviour during all his pending cases and a previous conviction, and during him being out on bail on several occasions.

I hereby record three outstanding pending cases. In two of the cases, I am on warning and in one of the cases, I am released on bail and attended court since my release on bail

Nyalungu was once sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with an option of R10 000 fine on March 23, 1999, following his arrest on two counts of illegal conduct in special protected plants.

“I hereby record three outstanding pending cases. In two of the cases, I am on warning and in one of the cases, I am released on bail and attended court since my release on bail,” said Nyalungu through his attorney, Bheki Shilubane, who read a 12-page supporting affidavit to the court.

ALSO READ: Big Joe and his wife appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court

Nyalungu revealed that his first pending case was in the Skukuza Regional Court where he was appearing on money laundering charges with three other accused following their arrest on March 2, 2012. He said he was released on bail and attended court diligently for several years. That matter was later removed from the court roll, but Nyalungu was summoned once more for it. “I am currently on warning in the matter and the trial is scheduled to start on January 15 in the Skukuza Regional Court,” Nyalungu told the court.

He confessed he was also appearing in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court on charges of corruption and money laundering. This particular case is back in court on January 17. It had been removed during the Covid pandemic, but Nyalungu was later summoned to appear in court where he was again given a warning.

I also have a case in the Mbombela Magistrate’s Court of failure to submit annual tax returns, as intended in terms of SARS legislation, and am out on bail,” explained Nyalungu

During May, Nyalungu was arrested in the Hoedspruit area where he was charged with money laundering after the police had found R30 000 in his bakkie following a high-speed car chase. He spent nearly six months behind bars, but was later released on bail of R10 000 by Magistrate Sam Phakula in the Naphuno Magistrate’s Court in Lenyenye. Adv Harley Mabuza represented Nyalungu in this case.

“I also have a case in the Mbombela Magistrate’s Court of failure to submit annual tax returns, as intended in terms of SARS legislation, and am out on bail,” explained Nyalungu.

ALSO READ: Joseph “Big Joe” Nyalunga’s case transferred to the Nelspruit Regional Court

He also brought in the fact that he had four children, the youngest of whom was 12 and who needed his support.

Nyalungu added that he had employed several people whose families would suffer in the event that he was incarcerated any further.

Captain Martin Mlotshwa of the Hawks, an investigating officer in the recent case of explosives and ammunition, entered the witness stand and opposed bail, saying Nyalungu was capable of committing similar crimes if he was released.

The court remanded Nyalungu in custody pending his next court appearance on October 30 for judgment of his bail application.

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