Johannesburg - The mother of twin brothers accused of terrorism shook her head in disbelief on Friday as her sons’ bail attempts failed in the South Gauteng High Court.
Wasiela Thulsie, mother of Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee, 23, who are accused of having links with the Islamic State and plotting to blow up the US embassy and Jewish institutions in the country, sat in the gallery listening as the State asked for their urgent bail application to be struck off the roll.
State prosecutor, Dawie Joubert, said the application was frivolous and an abuse of the court as Johannesburg Magistrate Pieter du Plessis had already ruled their arrest was lawful.
In her argument, defence advocate Aneline van den Heever said the brothers' constitutional rights had been infringed. She said any review into their case had to be dealt with by a single judge.
But Judge Pieter Meyer said the court did not have the jurisdiction to deal with the case, adding that appeals and reviews had to be heard by two judges. He said he could not overturn a ruling made by a lower court.
Van den Heever conceded to the matter being struck off the roll. She said her clients would look at other alternatives.
Saturday Star