One of the 19 men arrested in a case involving explosive devices being placed in and around Durban in July, which police believe is linked to the deadly mosque attack in Verulam in May, was granted bail of R100,000 at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday afternoon. The state also provisionally withdrew charges against seven of the other suspects.
Businessman Goolam Haffajee was granted bail because he was not fingered during an identity parade. He is not allowed to leave the province and had to hand over his passport as part of his bail conditions.
Monday’s proceedings were also finally opened to members of the media, who had been barred from the courtroom last week and on Monday morning. The use of cellphones was not permitted though.
A small group gathered outside the court in the morning reciting in Arabic and holding signs saying, No bail for terrorists and No place for religious extremism in South Africa.
The suspects were arrested on October 5 in and around the Durban area after being linked to a series of explosive devices that were placed at several upmarket shopping centres across Durban earlier this year as well as a brutal murder at a Verulam mosque. Police have stated that the motive for the incidents may be extortion.
The suspects are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, violation of the explosives act, arson, extortion, and the illegal possession of firearms.
The suspects are also accused of kidnapping after police found a man chained and malnourished inside a dungeon in one of the houses when it was raided. Police have not given any more detail on the man they rescued and just said that he was being treated in a local hospital.
At their first appearance last week, the windows of the courtroom were blackened out with paper and the media was barred from proceedings.
- African News Agency (ANA)
