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A South African National Defence Force soldier.
The bail application of 12 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Special Task Force members accused of murdering Hawks investigator Lieutenant-Colonel Frans Mathipa has been postponed to next Friday for judgment.
The Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg heard closing arguments from both the defence and the state.
The soldiers also face charges of kidnapping Ethiopian national and alleged ISIS leader Abdella Abadiga, along with his bodyguard, in December 2022.
Mathipa was reportedly investigating Abadiga’s disappearance when he was gunned down in August 2023.
The state opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the charges against the 12 and arguing that, as highly trained military personnel, their release could pose a risk to witnesses.
An affidavit by the Hawks investigating officer was read in court, in which he claimed to have received threats related to the case.
In response, the defence argued that, as SANDF officials, the accused serve South Africa and would not betray the country by evading trial.
The court is expected to deliver judgment on the bail application next Friday.
