Murder-accused Marco Schalekamp appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga this morning to apply for an amendment to one of his bail conditions.

Lowvelder reports that he was released on bail on September 4, after he appeared in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court.

One of his bail restrictions requires him to report to a local police station three times a week, close to his new address in Pretoria.

Schalekamp’s attorney Leendert Viljoen told the court that he recently got a final interview for a new job and would like to amend the bail condition on the time and place he has to report, to ensure he has flexibility when he starts his new position.

“He will still report three times a week, but the place and time can differ depending on where my client will work,” Viljoen explained.

“The high court’s order will remain intact, and will only change if my client gets employed,” Viljoen reassured the court.

He also told the court that he consulted the senior public prosecutor, the director of Public Prosecutions, and investigating officer Sergeant Mxolisi Keis; none of who objected to the application.

In response, the state said it did not object but stood by the high court’s conditions, and therefore requested no changes to the current ones.

Viljoen continued to state that if Schalekamp’s application was denied, it would diminish his prospects for employment. Magistrate Sifiso Mabilane rejected Schalekamp’s application and said that the defence had to present a formal letter of employment first before the court would consider the bail amendment.

Mabilane postponed the case to January 20, for further investigation.

The state told the court that there were still outstanding statements and reports. After the court hearing, Miné Coetzee, Schalekamp’s girlfriend, told Lowvelder that he had been able to recover from his injuries with proper medical care, which he lacked while he was still in prison.

“We respect the magistrate’s decision, and will continue trying,” she said, after the ruling.

Schalekamp stands accused of premeditated murder and attempted murder following the fatal shooting of Pieter Burger and the wounding of Arno van Niekerk near the White River Rugby Club in the early hours of June 5. Schalekamp himself sustained gunshot wounds in the incident.

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