Port Elizabeth Constable Walter Francis, charged with murdering a state witness, is expected to apply for bail in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Francis is charged with the murder of Alex Ferreira, who was scheduled to testify as a Section 204 witness in a separate gang-related murder case, in which Francis’s gun was allegedly used.
Ten months ago Ferreira was gunned down in Bethelsdorp and left for dead. He was visiting family at the time and was not in protective custody.
Following intensive investigations, Francis was arrested in November for the murder of the state witness.
Francis is charged alongside Sameal Gallant and Wayne Wabanie. The men face charges which include murder and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The cop is currently being held at the Mount Road Police Station after a request was made that he not be detained at a notorious Port Elizabeth prison, St Albans Correctional Centre.
In the case before the Port Elizabeth High Court, Francis, 31 is charged alongside alleged gang members Enzorich Kroates, 22, and Clement Kogana, 29.
The trial is set to get underway in May next year.
During October 2014 Ferreira had given Kroates and Kogana a lift when they allegedly opened fire on suspected rival gang member Denton Rademeyer. Francis allegedly supplied his official police firearm for the shooting.
– African News Agency (ANA)
