Ga-Rankuwa -
The bail hearing of 270 men arrested after violence at Lonmin's mine in North West will be heard next week, the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court ruled on Thursday.
Magistrate Esau Bodigelo said the available information was not sufficient to start their bail applications.
“My ruling is that it will be in the interest of justice that the State be granted another postponement not exceeding seven days. This matter will be postponed until next week. We will meet next week,” he told the packed courtroom.
Expelled ANCYL leader Julius Malema joined those attending the proceedings. Heads turned in the room when Malema walked in before 2pm, accompanied by suspended ANCYL secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa and suspended league spokesman Floyd Shivambu.
At the time, Bodigelo was going through arguments presented by prosecutor Nigel Carpenter and the defence team, made up of six attorneys.
The State applied for the bail application to be put off for seven days, so that the particulars of every individual, including criminal records, could be verified.
The men's lawyers had wanted them released urgently, arguing that some were not getting medication for chronic illnesses such as tuberculosis and HIV. - Sapa