Main suspect in chief justice’s burglary case not a flight risk, granted bail
Msimango has no reason to evade trial
Nkosinathi Msimango‚ the man arrested in connection with the theft of 15 computers at the chief justice’s office almost three weeks ago‚ has been granted bail.
Msimango is facing charges of theft and housebreaking with intent to steal in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
On Monday‚ Magistrate Lebogang Leshaba said it would not be in the interest of justice to deny him bail.
She said Msimango has family ties in Gauteng‚ a sevenmonth-old baby and a fiancée.
“He is not a flight risk and there is no way the accused will evade trial.”
LeshabagrantedhimR5 000 bail on condition that he does not interfere with witnesses nor the investigation. She said the state could ask for strict conditions to be imposed on Msimango if it was concerned that he would evade trial or interfere with witnesses.
Msimango’s case has been postponed to May 17 for further investigations.
His lawyer Sammy Mahlangu said he was pleased his client was granted bail.
“I thought he would get bail in the first place. The burden was on the state to convince the court that it’s not in the interest of justice to release my client on bail‚” Mahlangu said.
Msimango, 34‚ is said by police to be the man “crucial” to the investigation into the burglary at the chief justice’s offices two weeks ago. .
Sowetan sister paper, The Times had an exclusive interview with Msimango just moments before he turned himself in on March 24.
He told the newspaper that he does not know anything about the burglary and did not understand why the police were looking for him.
During his bail application‚ the state told the court that more arrests were imminent.