The Bloemfontein Magistrates Court heard closing arguments in the bail application of five co-accused in the Thabo Bester escape saga. G4S supervisor Senohe Matsaora, CCTV technician Teboho Lipholo, Suspended G4S security guard Mutenyane Masukela, and former G4S control room operators Tieho Makhotsa and Anastassja Jansen are accused of facilitating Bester's escape from Mangaung Prison.
RELEASE THEM
The defence for accused number one and seven, Katlego Moruri told the court that Senohe Matsaora has been in custody for over a month and investigations are not complete. He says it's not in the interest of justice to keep Matsaora in custody. "Of particular importance, Matsoara handed over his passport when he was arrested. He cooperated with investigations. Matsoara is not a flight risk and is innocent until proven guilty," Moruri told the court. He added that the investigating officer conceded that witnesses who would come testify in the trial were never threatened or intimidated by Matsoara. Moruri added that Matsoara does not have any previous convictions or pending cases besides the one he is behind bars for. "He has not shown that he's violent. He will not endanger the public. The accused has been dismissed from G4S, so he has no reason to interfere with investigations or intimidate witnesses. The investigating officer told the court that accused number two, Tebogo Lipholo fears for his life, but Lipholo has, on many occasions been in the same holding cell with Matsoara and nothing has happened to him," Moruri said, adding that if granted bail, Motsoara will not undermine the criminal justice system. Moruri also presented closing arguments for Tieho Makhotsa whom he said handed his passport in without being asked, despite the investigating officer telling the court that Makhotsa didn't have one.
NOT A FLIGHT RISK
Tshotlego Makamedi representing accused number 3, Tebogo Lipholo, the CCTV technician who allegedly switched off the cameras and walked Bester out of the prison disguised as a G4S employee in uniform said Lipholo has no passport and there is no evidence that he is violent. Masilo Koenane for accused 6, Mutenyane Masukela suspended G4S security guard said that he is a first-time offender, there is no evidence that he is predisposed to violence or will commit other offenses. "The accused has four children and a wife to take care of and it's unclear how long this matter will take to finalise. if it's alleged that he did what he did, then he would have been paid. The court should bear in mind the health of the accused. Masukela suffers from diabetes. The accused is suspended but he is a man that needs to go back and work for his family and also prepare for his disciplinary hearing at work. It is also very costly to consult with his attorney because he's being kept far from Bloemfontein" Koenane added.
DOING HER DUTIES
Gary Botha, who represented accused number eight, Anastassja Jansen a former G4S control operator, said there is no evidence against his client in terms of the charges she's facing. "Part of her duties was to open doors for G4S employees. We know that Bester escaped dressed in a G4S uniform. My client is in court for doing her duties. Jansen can be acquitted in a trial court. There is no strong case against her. How long will this matter take before it gets to trial," she asked, adding that the court should grant his client bail amount between R5 000 and R10 000 and impose strict restrictions." In conclusion, the state prosecutor said that the accused being released on bail is not in the interest of justice.
