Magistrate Grants Fugitive Criminal Bail

Gaonyadiwe Mmatli, who is considered a fugitive has been in police custody since August 29, 2016 following his arrest in Botswana. He is a wanted criminal in connection with housebreaking, theft and damage to property, crimes he allegedly committed in Swaziland.

When granting him bail, magistrate Gabanagae said that although the state prosecution argued that the accused is not a candidate because he has 12 other pending cases, he is convinced that the accused is not a flight risk. He agreed with the prosecution on the arguments that the defence counsel could not use the SADC protocol on extradition, since it has not been domesticated in Botswana.