A senior state advocate, a captain of the Hawks and a civilian have each been granted R5000 bail. The trio is facing corruption charges and was arrested on Thursday. Senior state prosecutor Advocate Phuthi Matabane Hawks Captain Lucky Thabathe handed themselves over while civilian Daniel Benjamin Lessing was arrested at his home in Mpumalanga.

The court heard that the matter against the trio was reported after a case of fraud was opened at Germiston SAPS by a company that claimed it was defrauded R6,2million by the civilian 

Upon investigation by the Hawks, it was discovered that the advocate declined to prosecute the matter, thereafter the complainants suspected corruption was possibly involved 

"I was assigned to deal with the matter. The case was declined for prosecution. After that, on 6 June 2021, four people (the suspects arrested on Thursday)went on a hunting trip which was paid for by the senior prosecutor Phuti. Its was discovered that he used his power to influence the decision not to prosecute,"said the investigating officer adding that the Hawks captain was suspected of receiving gratuity from the civilian as well as the meat from the hunting trip but the amount was subject to investigation.

During the bail application the state said they were not opposing bail, however, accused one and two, Phuthi and Thabathe respectively, might likely be suspended from their workplaces.

Magistrate Koos Pretorious ruled, "They are professionals and have assets tying them to their respective districts. Their release will not jeopardise the functioning of the criminal justice system. There is no likelihood they will interfere with any witnesses.It appears the matter has been investigated for some time," he said, adding that their release will not cause public outrage and the interest of justice permits the release of the applicants on bail, which he set at R5 000.

He said they should report on Tuesdays and Fridays between 6 and 10pm to police Brackendowns, Secunda and Sandton Police respectively.

"All travel documents must be handed immediately. They must remain in the borders of their provinces." The case is postponed to 7 March 2024.