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[File image] The Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
The bail application of 12 SANDF Special Task Force members accused of the murder of Hawks investigator Frans Mathipa is under way in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg.
The bail hearing was rolled over to today to allow for the verification of the address of one of the accused.
The 12 are also charged with the alleged kidnapping of Ethiopian national and alleged ISIS leader, Abdella Abadiga and his bodyguard in December 2022.
Mathipa was reportedly investigating Abadiga’s disappearance when he was gunned down in August 2023.
Lawyer for the accused has been arguing as to why they should be released on bail. The lawyer has cited the fact that most of them are breadwinners, and their families depend on them.
The lawyer further submitted that as SANDF officials, they serve South Africa and its interests and will never betray the country by evading trial.
The courtroom is packed to capacity with family members of the accused and heavily armed police officers.
The accused who cannot be named at this stage, have covered their faces with masks and they are wearing hoodies and beanies. The hearing continues.
[WATCH]
The Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg is set to hear the bail application of twelve members of the South African National Defence Force, accused of the murder of Hawks Specialist Investigator Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa today. pic.twitter.com/7rgpbFpwcT— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 1, 2025
