Two men accused of racial attack in Pretoria East granted bail

Two men accused of assaulting a man in Pretoria East in an alleged racial attack have been granted bail of R8 000 each.

Alleged racial attack

Karel Prinsloo and Johannes Stassen on Wednesday were granted bail in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court, following their arrest last month for allegedly assaulting 30-year-old Thato Lepinka.

The pair faces charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and crimen injuria.

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It is alleged that on 11 December 2022, Prinsloo and Stassen assaulted Lepinka and damaged his vehicle, a Volkswagen Golf 7, in the parking lot of Willoway Shopping Centre in Garsfontein in Pretoria.

Bail arguments

Judgment in their bail application was reserved last week, after Magistrate Abel Mphahlele heard arguments from the defence and state.

The state opposed Prinsloo and Stassen’s bail application, arguing that they would interfere with investigations and intimidate witnesses.

The court also heard that the CCTV footage of the alleged racial attack had been deleted before the investigating officer could access it.

Prinsloo and Stassen, among their bail arguments, argued their prolonged stay in jail would jeopardise their livelihoods and they would not be able to take care of their children.

In granting them bail, Magistrate Mphahlele found that it was in the interests of justice for the accused to be released on bail, and imposed strict bail conditions against them.

Prinsloo and Stassen are not allowed to intimidate witnesses or interfere with police investigations.

The accused are expected back in court on 11 January 2023.

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