Court grants bail to former policeman in Nathaniel Julies case
The Protea Magistrate’s Court in Soweto has granted bail to one of the three accused linked to the murder of Eldorado Park teenager Nathaniel Julies.
Julies, who was living with Down Syndrome, was shot and killed just meters from his home in August.
Former police officer Voster Netshiongolo, who is charged with hiding evidence and thereby defeating the ends of justice, was granted bail of R10,000.
The two other officers are charged with murder and discharging a firearm in a public space.
It was Netshiongolo’s second attempt at securing bail based on new facts.
In handing down his ruling, Magistrate David Mhango said there is no likelihood that the suspect may interfere with state witnesses as he does not have such intensions.
“He states that if admitted to bail he will not evade justice and the court may attach bail conditions and he will comply with conditions attached.
“The bail regime should be understood not as punishment but as a guarantee that an accused person if released he will stand his trial and will not evade justice or interfere with witnesses neither with investigations.
“Investigations according to the state are almost complete. I, therefore, come to the conclusion that applicant number three has made out a case on its new facts upon which bail can be granted.”
