Campus accused back in dock

A CAPE Peninsula University of Technology student charged with attempted murder after he allegedly locked three security guards in a burning office was expected back in the dock at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court today.

Twelve of Byron Dick’s fellow student protesters, who’ve been in Pollsmoor Prison for a week following their arrest, appeared in court yesterday and were granted bail of R3 000 each.

Prosecutor Stefan Venter asked magistrate Ronald Rickerts to enforce five bail conditions for the protesters, including barring the accused from setting foot within 200m of any institute of higher learning in the province.

Meanwhile, Dick, 26, is facing charges including public violence, arson and attempted murder.

Yesterday, supporters gathered out- side the court and prevented vehicles from passing. When the bail hearing eventually got under way, Rickerts cautioned “we cannot allow our courts to be turned into circuses”.

“The court has to make an example that the destruction of property can also not be allowed,” he said.

Earlier, defence attorney Sydney Tsotso described the prosecution’s request for bail to be set at R3 000 as “ridiculous”. He said the State had a weak case against the 12 students, who had been charged with public violence.

But Rickerts set bail at R3 000 per student, including Dick, and said they must report to Belhar police station three times a week and were not allowed to leave the province.

The case will resume on December 12. – Siyabonga Sesant