The Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo has denied bail to two security company owners Piet Groenewald and Stephen Grief.
When handing down judgment, Magistrate Bongi Mashele says it is not in the interest of justice that they be released on bail.
Mashele said if the accused are released on bail, the state witnesses might be intimidated.
The case has been postponed to the 11th of March for trial.
During the closing arguments, the state re-iterated that the accused’s previous convictions should be into consideration by the court.
The state also said the accused were not truthful about the camera footage that was deleted of the alleged assault.
The defense has said the case against its clients is political.
However, Magistrate Mashele took a decision to deny the accused bail.
The magistrate has said that the charges are of serious nature and demanded that more senior investigators be appointed.
The accused were remanded in custody until the 11th March 2023.
