Bushiri, co-accused to spend another weekend in custody
Bail arguments are expected to continue when court proceedings resume on Monday.
Self-proclaimed “prophet” Shepherd Bushiri, his wife Mary and his three co-accused will spend another weekend behind bars after their bail bid was postponed to Monday.
They appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court again on Friday facing charges of fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
During Friday’s proceedings, the state was adamant that, should bail be granted for all the accused, they might abscond and the release of the accused will jeopardise investigations.
Advocate Annalien van den Heever, representing the Bushiris and Landiwe Ntlokwana, proposed that R200 000 be granted for the Bushiri couple and between R50 000 to R100 000 for Ntlokwana.
The lawyer representing accused number two proposed that his client be realised on R20 000 bail.
The state prosecutor read an affidavit in which the investigating officer detailed why he believes the accused are a flight risk. She said the accused are familiar with witnesses and the evidence that will be brought against them.
“It became evident during the investigation that the accused did not hesitate to intimidate state witnesses.”
The state further alleged that Bushiri’s legal team paid R500 000 to state witnesses.
Bail arguments are expected to continue on Monday.
The state will make its argument on Monday when the matter returns to court.
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