Martin Wessels’ bail application carried on today (May 16) in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court.

The bail hearing began last month and was concluded this morning, with the magistrate granting bail in the amount of R5000.

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Yesterday, the investigating officer, Mr Mabaso, finished his testimony as the state opposed bail. In his argument, Mabaso said the applicant must not be granted bail because he is likely to not comply with the bail conditions. He added that, in their investigation, they had found that he owned two firearms. “That means he knows the rules of keeping a firearm, but he failed to comply. He is likely to not obey the bail conditions,” said Mabaso. He further said that the case has drawn much attention and justice must be seen to be done.

Defence attorney Mr Justin Heunis argued that the investigating officer had failed to do his work properly and that they had hidden the truth when he was testifying.  “Why was it never mentioned in your testimony that the deceased had a knife before the incident took place and that the state witness had seen it?” The investigating officer replied by saying it was never mentioned in the statement he has.

Heunis said it has been a malicious prosecution and that the investigating officer only took statements from people who supported the state’s case. He added, “My client has spent a month behind bars because the state did not do their job properly.” He also took time to thank Adriaan van Zyl, who assisted his team doing the investigative work that should have been done by the police.

The magistrate ruled that Wessels was entitled to bail after the defence presented their case.

Wessels hugged family and friends as he left the court.

Wessels is accused of fatally shooting Anton Lombard at the Hauser Park Sports Bar (better known as The Shute) on April 16.

The case has been postponed until June 23 for further investigation.

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