Nkosi to spend another week behind bars

Suspended SAPS Sergeant, Fannie Nkosi, will remain in custody for another week after his bail hearing was postponed to 20 April for further arguments and deliberations.

Nkosi appeared before the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on Monday following his arrest earlier this month, during a search-and-seizure operation at his Pretoria North home, days after testifying before the Madlanga Commission.

He brought an urgent bail application, claiming the case against him is baseless.

Nkosi raised concerns about his safety in custody, telling the court he does not want to be held at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility, citing fears of being poisoned.

He also cited health concerns, saying he is diabetic and has been receiving treatment in the facility’s hospital wing over the past week.

However, Magistrate Thandi Theledi, ruled that the hospital wing is reserved for inmates requiring urgent medical attention, and that Nkosi’s condition does not qualify as an emergency.

Nkosi will now remain in the facility’s general holding cells until his next court appearance.

State opposes bail

The State opposed Nkosi’s bail application, arguing that he protected suspects accused of serious violent crimes and should not be released.

Prosecutors told the court that Nkosi is well connected to senior police officials who could assist him in defeating the ends of justice if granted bail.

They further alleged that he has links to criminal networks involved in robbery and cash-in-transit heists.

The State also raised concerns about a 9 mm revolver allegedly found hidden under the bed of Nkosi’s eight-year-old son, describing the situation as dangerous and irresponsible.

Prosecutors said Nkosi’s conduct demonstrates a disregard for the law and warned that he is a flight risk.

They also questioned his failure to account for R52,000 found under his mattress.

Further concerns were raised over case dockets discovered in his possession, with the State arguing that instead of investigating the cases, Nkosi allowed them to gather dust, with some reportedly in his possession since 2016.

Defence maintains innocence

Nkosi has denied any wrongdoing.

His lawyer, Advocate Sizo Dlali, read out an affidavit in support of the bail application, arguing that the charges are unfounded and that Nkosi is being victimised.

Dlali said police seized seven firearms from Nkosi’s home but maintained they were legally stored in a mounted, compliant safe.

Nkosi also rejected claims that he should have surrendered the firearms following his suspension, saying he was never instructed to do so.

He insisted that his release would not undermine the justice system, adding that he has no previous convictions and will not interfere with witnesses.

Nkosi told the court he is willing to comply with all bail conditions and can afford R10,000 bail.

This contradicts police claims that he should have surrendered the weapons during his suspension, and that he was in breach of the law when they were discovered.

Nkosi says he was never instructed to hand over the firearms and has accused the State of acting with ulterior motives.

He maintains that the charges against him are unfounded.

He faces multiple charges, including unlawful possession of explosives, failure to safeguard firearms and ammunition, defeating the administration of justice, failure to install a compliant safe, and theft.

Nkosi also declined to provide details about six dockets found at his residence, saying he had been officially assigned to those cases.

It is understood the dockets include two cash-in-transit heist cases from Musina and Roodepoort, as well as four other serious violent crime investigations – all of which have since gone cold.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao