Failed ID parade delays bail bid of accused in ‘6 bodies’ case
The case against a man linked to at least one of the six bodies found in a Johannesburg building earlier this month has been postponed.
The 20-year-old appeared briefly in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court for a bail application on Tuesday. However, proceedings had to be postponed after it emerged the state failed to conduct the planned identity parade.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane denied that the parade failed because the official tasked with arranging it was unavailable.
“The information that we got from the investigating officer is that the person did make the arrangement to go to church but by the time the ID parade was to be held, the person was present. The accused person is the one that said he cannot participate in the ID parade unless his legal representative is present,” she said.
Last week the court allowed a seven-day postponement for confirmation of the accused’s bail details and for the identity parade to take place.
Magistrate Betty Khumalo lambasted the state when it emerged it also failed to produce the application letter to have the accused move from the Johannesburg prison to the Johannesburg central police station where the parade is set to happen this Friday.
“Why is the investigating officer not having the letter ready if you are making that application, Sir? But you haven’t done your work and you are asking me now to order that? You had seven days to have that letter ready for today,” Khumalo said.
Speaking outside court, Mjonondwane admitted the state could have been better prepared.
“We could have come to court better prepared, but as the NPA we will handle this together with our colleagues in the South African Police Service.”
Meanwhile, Mjonondwane confirmed that none of the bodies have been positively identified.
“We are still awaiting the test results and once they have been identified by their family members. Once we have the go-ahead as well from the family members because we have to give them the necessary respect. When they give us the go-ahead to identify the deceased persons, we will be able to do that.”
The case is expected back in court on 25 October.
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