Five people arrested in connection with the R2 billion clandestine drug laboratory in Limpopo appeared in court, where they were further remanded behind bars.
IOL has previously reported that Gonzales Jorge, 51; Gutierrez Lopes, 43; Simphiwe Khumalo, 35; Frederick Botha, 67; Ruben Vidan Rodriguez, 44; appeared before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court charged with manufacturing, dealing and possession of illicit drugs.
On Tuesday, the five accused men appeared in court and their case was postponed to Monday next week, according the Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, Limpopo regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority.
She explained that two of the five accused men, who are South African nationals, are seeking bail after their co-accused, who are Mexican nationals, abandoned the bid for freedom.
“The two applicants, Khumalo and Botha require the court to adjudicate the bail application and release them on bail. The State respectfully submits that the applicants failed to discharge the onus resting upon them, (to prove) that the interests of justice permits their release on bail,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.
“The applicants only moved their bail affidavits. Their evidence was not tested. Consequently, it rendered the State unable to put a version regarding the strength of the case, to source their comment.”
The NPA also reiterated that the bail applicants are facing “serious offences” including manufacturing, possession and dealing in drugs, and money laundering.
The accused Mexican men are also facing additional charges of contravening the Immigration Act of South Africa. The Mexicans abandoned their bail application.
“The State submitted that the bail applicants (Khumalo and Botha) are implicated by their conduct and physical presence in the farm with crystal meth weighing 408.95 kilogrammes with the value of R1 billion,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.
“The State submits that the applicants failed to discharge their onus on balance of probabilities that they are candidates to be released on bail.”
Judgment on the bail bid by the two applicants is expected to be handed down when the matter returns to court next week.
Previously, IOL reported that the Directorate for Priority Investigations, also known as the Hawks, uncovered the drug lab on a farm in Groblersdal on July 19, 2024, following an intelligence-driven operation.
IOL