Cops granted bail in dagga theft

Sharon Mathala | Thursday June 19, 2014 06:59

 

Maitshwarelo Ditsebe, Goitseone Kobe and Otshepeng Lesele – a policewomen and two male special constables – were arrested at their Ramotswa post last week and charged with stealing the illegal drug. 

The Extension II Magistrate Court denied the three bail, prompting their lawyer, Friday Leburu to make an urgent application to the High Court. Granting them bail yesterday, Tau said that the State could not provide reasons beyond reasonable doubt, why the trio should be denied bail. 

“The State has failed to prove why the accused persons should not be granted bail and the accused are therefore granted bail on the condition that they each report to the nearest police station once a week,” she said.

“They should also not be seen in the company of potential state witnesses.”

Assistant Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Rahiman Khan earlier argued that the three officers could tamper with investigations as they were based in Ramotswa, the same “scene of the crime”. He said the three had relatives in the village and could influence witnesses in the matter. However, Leburu said the charge that his clients would tamper with investigations was mere speculation and without basis.

“The investigating officer says that they fear that the accused persons, once released, may tamper with police investigations,” he said.

“We feel that these allegations are too general and not supported.

“The State has since confiscated the alleged stolen bag of dagga and there is nothing to place these allegations on.”

Leburu further submitted to court that the accused officers hold junior positions and thus their influence within the police services is very minimal unlike if the trio held higher positions within the station.