The defence in the case against five men accused of involvement in the mob killing of seven suspected criminals in Diepsloot has raised concern about avoidable delays in the matter.
The case was once again rolled over to Wednesday for final arguments as part of continuing bail hearing that started on Monday.
The past two days saw Court 9 of the Randburg Magistrate’s Court entertain bail pleas by the accused through affidavits read by their lawyers and yesterday the state opposed the applications with lead investigator Colonel Albert Jam Jam.
Defence lawyer Jimmy Baloyi addressed the court about how easily decisions to either postpone or rollover the matter had been easily taken insisting that it makes maximum use of all available time, a request that was granted.
“That really worries me because we need to expedite this matter. You’d know that justice delayed so it’s imperative that we finalize this matter as soon as possible. Hopefully by Friday this week we should make sure we have a judgment,”he told reporters at the end of the proceedings.
The state is basing its opposition of bail on the evidence of the investigating officer.
Colonel Jam Jam who said he has been in the police service for over 30 years testified that the men had violent personalities and could disturb public order if released.
“There’s people who might be happy for them to be released but there’s those who would be upset by that decision. Even those who want them out we don’t know what they want to do with them, he told the court suggesting the men could themselves be attacked by the community a claim strongly rejected by the defence.
“If you look at the community that we have here. I mean can tell that the community is behind our clients and I believe the claim that the community may kill them is far fetched because we can all see that the community is behind them,” said Baloyi on the accused supposedly being in danger.