Court bars media from reporting on bail hearing

THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has downplayed the media being barred from recording and publishing details on Sandile Mantsoe’s bail application‚ saying it was nothing new.

The 27-year-old forex trader is accused of murdering his girlfriend‚ Karabo Mokoena‚ whose charred remains were found on April 29 in a ditch in Lyndhurst.

“We had concerns [over] sensitive information which would be revealed in court that directly impacts on the progress of the investigation‚” NPA spokeswoman Phindi Louw said.

Journalists in court were barred from reporting on any information which was mentioned during the bail application.

Only the outcome of the application could be reported on.

The magistrate‚ however‚ made no mention of how the ruling extended to members of the public who were in court.

Louw conceded that the information could be leaked through members of the public.

Both the state and defence team had put in applications to bar the media from reporting on the court proceedings.

Magistrate Carlo Labuschagne agreed‚ saying it was in the interest of justice.

Following the media blackout‚ bail proceedings continued and were postponed to June 9.

Mantsoe has been behind bars for two weeks. He has been charged with murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Mokoena’s family reported her missing‚ circulating pictures on social media‚ unaware that the charred remains found in Lyndhurst were hers.

The 22-year-old, who was involved in charity organisations which catered for abused women and children‚ was buried last week.

At her funeral‚ friends painted a grim image of her relationship with Mantsoe‚ alleging that it was an abusive relationship in which she was assaulted.