Fannie Nkosi detained with general population after magistrate cancels order

Disgraced police officer Fannie Nkosi is being detained with the general prison population after the presiding magistrate in his case rescinded an order on where he should be held.

Nkosi returned to the Pretoria North Magistrates Court on Monday, where he applied for bail.

The sergeant is facing charges on the handling of firearms and ammunition that were found at his home and defeating the ends of justice for dockets that were also discovered in his Wendy house.

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Nkosi has been behind bars for almost two weeks now after his arrest earlier in April.

During his appearance last week, the magistrate, Rene Venter, agreed to have him detained at the Kgosi Mampuru prison's hospital section because he said he feared for his life.

But on Monday, Magistrate Thandi Theledi rescinded this order.

“Placement of a prisoner in a prison hospital wing is reserved for detainees who require medical treatment, observation or nursing care. It is not designed to function as a form of protective custody.”

Nkosi’s bail application was not completed on Monday.

He will stay behind bars with the general prison population until Monday, when his bail hearing will resume.

STATE’S BAIL FEARS

The State said it fears that if Nkosi is released on bail, he may meddle in the investigations and intimidate police officers involved.

Nkosi’s bail application in the Pretoria North Magistrates Court was postponed, as arguments were incomplete.

The State alleges that the dockets found at Nkosi’s home during the raid show that he was keeping them to shield suspects of crime and frustrate criminal investigations.

One of the dockets is for the robbery of a British American Tobacco employee, dating back to 2016.

Prosecutor Tholoana Sekhonyana has told the court that Nkosi’s release is not in the interest of justice.

“Due to his knowledge of police systems and investigative processes, there is a reasonable concern that the applicant may attempt to interfere with evidence, police administrative systems, case dockets or exhibits if released on bail.”