Mexicans in the Groblersdal drug bust abandon bail
Three of the five accused in the Groblersdal R2 billion drug bust have abandoned their bail application.
The accused appeared in the Groblersdal Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
They were nabbed following a raid at a farm in Groblersdal last month.
They are three Mexican nationals, Gonzales Jorge (51), Gutierrez Lopes (43), and Rodriguez Vidan and 67-year-old South Africans farmer Frederick Botha and 35-year-old Simphiwe Khumalo.
The have been charged with the illegal manufacturing and dealing in drugs, contravening the Illegal Immigration Act, and money laundering.
Botha and Khumalo, are however applying for bail.
"In yesterday’s proceedings, Botha claimed the accused were renting his farm but failed to produce a lease agreement with the Mexican nationals," said Limpopo NPA Spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
"Khumalo stated in his affidavit that he was merely performing his duties as a transporter, claiming he had been hired to deliver food and acetone.
"The investigating officer testified against granting bail, citing public outcry and the severe nature of the crimes,"
The matter has been postponed to 06 August 2024 for closing arguments.
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