DURBAN - GLITCHES during the identification parade prevented the bail application of nine suspects linked to murders during the unrest and looting incidents in Phoenix, north of Durban.
The nine were expected to formally apply for bail in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday but the matter was postponed to Monday.
Police detectives handling the matter did not bring the accused to court.
After a long meeting between the defence legal teams, the State prosecutors and magistrate Irfaan Khalil the matter was postponed.
Attorney Chris Gounden represented seven of the accused.
He said he was ready to proceed with his clients’ bail application, but accepted the postponement.
Gounden told the media that the accused where taken to Chatsworth SAPS for a formal ID parade.
Police are believed to have CCTV camera video clips which shows some of the accused attacking two men near a petrol station in Phoenix.
Outside the Verulam court there was no SANDF presence. Neither were there placard-waving crowds calling for justice.
Only the SAPS and Durban metro police were present.
The mens’ arrest was announced by Police Minister Bheki Cele during his series of visits in Inanda, Bhambayi and Phoenix on Sunday.
Cele said the number of people that were killed still stands at 36.
However, he said that when they started, only 27 were regarded as murders, while the rest were treated as inquests.
Cele said 36 people in total have been arrested thus far.
Daily News