A suspended South African Police Service sergeant will remain behind bars after the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court denied him bail on charges including unlawful possession of explosives and money laundering.
Fannie Ezekiel Nkosi (43), attached to the Anti-Gang Unit, appeared in court on Wednesday where magistrates found he failed to satisfy the court that the interests of justice permit his release on bail.
Nkosi faces charges of unlawful possession of explosives, three counts of failure to safeguard firearms, eight counts of failure to safeguard ammunition, defeating the administration of justice, failure to mount a stand up safe as per the SABS 953-1/2, theft and money laundering.
The case stems from a tip-off received by a Task Team from the Madlanga Commission regarding unlawful possession of ammunition at Nkosi’s residence. On 2 April, the task team executed a search warrant at his home in Pretoria North.
Police discovered firearms, ammunition, a stun grenade, South African Police Service dockets and other state-issued items at various locations on the premises. More than R50 000 in cash was also found concealed beneath a mattress. Nkosi could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the origin of the money.
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The State, led by Advocate Tholoana Sekhoyana, opposed bail and placed on record the affidavit of investigating officer Sergeant Thembekile Mathwa. The affidavit indicated that Nkosi poses a flight risk, may evade trial and is likely to interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations, particularly given his knowledge of police processes.
“The court agreed with the State’s submissions and denied bail,” said NPA regional spokesperson for the Gauteng Division: Pretoria, Lumka Mahanjana. The NPA welcomed the court’s decision.
The matter has been postponed to 21 May for further investigations.
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