Johannesburg - A director of Dave Sheer Guns was granted R15 000 bail in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, but has to provide R2 million in guarantees.
In order to gain freedom, Gareth de Nysschen has 30 days to come up with the R2m, which would be handed to the State should he flee and not stand trial.
Magistrate Syfred Mati said he had put the guarantee on the bail conditions because the state had proved he was a flight risk.
De Nysschen was arrested by the military police at OR Tambo International Airport nearly two weeks ago while about to board a plane to the US.
His colleague, Dave Sheer Guns general manager Efthimios Demis Karamitsos, also went to the airport and was also apprehended.
They have been charged with dealing in stolen military ammunition.
Karamitsos was given bail last week, but the State opposed bail for De Nysschen.
Soldiers Teboho Peter Motaung and Diphang John Motloung were accused of stealing ammunition, along with Motloung’s son Thabang.
Diphang Motloung had his bail revoked for contacting a state witness, Freddie Labuschagne, and allegedly trying to get him to change his testimony. Thabang was also charged for allegedly threatening the investigating officer’s life.
The magistrate pointed out that De Nysschen was arrested at the airport while trying to leave the country, and he had furnished two addresses - neither of which could be proved to be his residential address.
In addition, his business had been transferred to a trust; and when asked about his health, he first said he was not on medication, then said he was.
“There’s a clear line of dubiousness to your affairs. They are certainly not like those of an ordinary person who does business, which in my considered view is good reason to apprehend that if released on bail, you might not stand trial,” said Mati.
Mati said he had decided that he would put conditions of De Nysschen’s release that would make it difficult for him to flee the country.
He then put the R2m guarantee on the bail conditions, saying that if De Nysschen did not show up for the trial, the state would take the R2m.
In his affidavit, De Nysschen said he earned a net salary of R52 000 a month and that he owned assets worth nearly R17m.
Mati then set other bail conditions: the accused had to hand in all his travel documents; he may not leave South Africa and can leave Gauteng only with the authorisation of the investigating officer; must remain a resident at an address in Boksburg supplied by his uncle; and must inform the investigating officer if he goes anywhere other than his work, court or home for more than two hours.
He also is not allowed to contact witnesses and must report to Boksburg police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.