State opposes bail for 80-year-old F State man accused of murder


The state has submitted that it is not in the interest of justice for the court to grant bail to an 80-year-old Free State man, accused of being involved in the murder and burial of a 25-year-old man in a shallow grave on a farm in Kroonstad.

The accused’s bail hearing is underway in the Kroonstad Magistrates’ Court in the Free State.

State prosecutor, Kgabi Ganyane says the accused being released on bail may cause public outrage and jeopardise trust in the justice system. Ganyane also argued that the testimony of the Investigating Officer, which was based on an eye-witness account, ties the accused to the crimes.

Ganyane says the 80-year-old should be considered an accessory to murder as he assisted the 16-year-old minor, who is accused of shooting and killing the victim, by burying the body.

Kroonstad farmer allegedly admits to killing a man a decade ago: