BAIL OPPOSED, JUDGE QINISILE TO HEAR MATTER

MBABANE – The State is opposing all the bail applications by the two judges, former minister and registrar of the High Court.

Judge Jacobus Annadale, Judge Mpendulo, Simelane former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Sibusiso Shongwe as well as Registrar of the High Court Fikile Nhlabatsi are currently in police holding cells facing various charges preferred against them.

Today will mark their third day in custody.
Senior Crown Counsel Mduduzi Mathunjwa told Judge Qinisile Mabuza that the State was opposing bail.
He told the court that the Crown would file detailed papers outlining why the bail applications of the accused were opposed.
Judge Mabuza said, in her view, the accused were not a flight risk and she was inclined to admit them to bail.

Mathunjwa, however, argued that his instructions were that the bail application for all the accused were to be opposed.
Lawyer Noncedo Ndlangamandla, who is representing Judge Mpendulo Simelane, was against the postponement of the matter to today.
She said this was a delaying tactic by the Crown.

Judge Annandale, who is representing himself, was also against the matter being postponed.
Judge Mabuza, however, postponed the matter to today, saying she had to be fair even to the other side (defence), which had indicated that it would file its opposing papers.

“I am sorry Judge Annandale even if I wanted to release you today, I cannot because I also have to be fair to the other party,” said Judge Mabuza.
The bail application will be heard today and Judge Mabuza is likely to make her ruling in each.

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