A 43-year-old police sergeant accused of a string of serious offences, including unlawful possession of explosives, theft, and money laundering, will remain in custody until July.

The Pretoria High Court dismissed Sergeant Fannie Ezekiel Nkosi’s appeal against the denial of his bail.

Nkosi’s attempt to secure release was unsuccessful after the court upheld an earlier ruling by the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court, which denied him bail on April 22.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the judgment, describing it as a reaffirmation that no one is above the law, regardless of their position or occupation.

Nkosi faces multiple charges, including unlawful possession of explosives, three counts of failure to safeguard firearms, and eight counts of failure to safeguard ammunition.

Additional charges include defeating the administration of justice, failure to install and maintain a firearm safe in accordance with prescribed South African Bureau of Standards regulations, theft, and money laundering.
The charges stem from an operation conducted by police officers attached to a task team established following the Madlanga Commission.

Acting on information relating to the unlawful possession of ammunition, officers executed a search warrant at Nkosi’s Pretoria North residence on April 2.

NPA Regional Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said during the search, investigators allegedly discovered firearms, ammunition, a stun grenade, SAPS dockets, and other state-issued items at various locations on the property.

She said police also found more than R50 000 in cash concealed beneath a mattress.

According to the State, Nkosi was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source of the money.

Following his arrest, the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court denied his bail application, prompting him to appeal the decision in the High Court.

In opposing the appeal, the State, represented by Advocates Mphahlele and Sekhonyana, argued that the magistrate had exercised her discretion correctly when refusing bail.

Prosecutors maintained that the seriousness of the offences, Nkosi’s position as a police officer with access to sensitive information and ongoing investigations, and his access to substantial unexplained funds justified his continued detention.

The State further argued that the magistrate had not misdirected herself on either the facts or the law and that there was no basis for the High Court to interfere with the original decision.

Judge Mosopa agreed with the State’s submissions and dismissed the appeal, finding that the magistrate had acted appropriately under the circumstances.

“The NPA welcomes the judgment as a reaffirmation of the principle that all persons, regardless of their position, are subject to the law,” said Mahanjana.

The matter is scheduled to return to the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on July 16 for the centralisation of Nkosi’s cases.

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