Johannesburg - Emotions ran high in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday during the bail hearing of 10 police officers from the Tactical Response Team (TRT) in the area.
They are charged with the torture and murder of Khuthazile Mbendu, 37, in Ivory Park in December last year.
The courtroom was packed with family and friends of the police officers and Mbendu.
An off-duty officer said he believed the 10 men were innocent. “They can’t be accused of such unfair actions. We’re here to support them,” he said, pointing to a group of men.
During bail proceedings, it was revealed that Mbendu had allegedly stolen a car and that the 10 officers had been called as back-up to arrest him.
Defence lawyer Daniel Ralepelle read out each of the accused’s affidavits, which stated that the 10 TRT police officers allegedly arrested Mbendu and took him to Ivory Park police station. “He was handed to the police free from any injury. No one was killed or tortured in my presence.”
In the affidavits, the accused said they were able to afford R2 000 bail each. The State didn’t oppose bail, including that of accused number two and three, Koena Mokobodi and Makgoba Kekana, who have previous convictions.
Mokobodi helped an offender to escape from prison in 2008 while Kekana was convicted of assault in 2013.
“They aren’t a flight risk. They have no assets outside the country and they are not a danger to the public,” said prosecutor Thabo Marema.
As the bail judgment began after a short break, one of Mbendu’s relatives walked out of the courtroom in tears.
Granting them R2 000 bail each, magistrate Vinny Gobind warned that if they didn’t show up for their next appearance, on September 10, warrants for their arrest would be issued.
Many of those sitting in the gallery broke into applause after Gobind’s decision, but not everyone was happy.
Two men approached The Star separately, claiming they had been assaulted by the TRT officers and that the officers were known around the area for terrorising residents.
“I am here to see that justice prevails,” said one of the men, who asked not to be named for safety reasons.
The Star