Suspended SAPS Organised Unit Sergeant Fannie Nkosi was denied bail at the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Suspended police sergeant Fannie Nkosi has been denied bail in the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court.
The 42-year-old was arrested earlier this month after a raid on his Pretoria North home. It is the State’s case that he was found with state-owned ammunition and a hand grenade, six case dockets, R50 000 in cash and seven unsecured licensed firearms at his house.
He was charged with defeating the ends of justice, theft, unlawful possession of explosives, and multiple counts of failing to safeguard firearms and ammunition.
Handing down her judgment on bail on Wednesday, Magistrate Thandi Theledi said the court had weighed the accused's constitutional rights, his personal circumstances, the presumption of innocence and the interests of justice.
"The interests of justice do not permit the release of the applicant on bail. The application for bail is therefore denied."
She said Nkosi's case for bail had been characterised by bare denials and unsubstantiated assertions, he failed to provide a credible explanation for possession of police dockets and SAPS equipment as well as an explanation regarding the unlawful storage of firearms and explosives.
She added that he did not provide any assurances that he will not interfere with the administration of justice.
Nkosi, who is suspended from the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) organised crime unit, has also testified before the Madlanga Commission. His suspension took effect on March 28.
In his testimony he revealed alleged connections between police officers, politicians and a crime network known as the Big Five. Big Five is a group linked to cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings and murders. Nkosi has confirmed that he had interactions with alleged tenderpreneur Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.
He also had a close relationship with suspended City of Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi who had allegedly involved Nkosi in the city’s operational matters.
Nkosi will be back in court in May.
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