Man accused of anti-apartheid activist Caiphus Nyoka's murder granted R350k bail
The High Court sitting in Benoni ruled on Tuesday that Pieter Stander be given his passport to allow him to travel for work.
A South African court. Picture: Rejoice Ndlovu/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - A former apartheid police officer accused of murdering anti-apartheid activist Caiphus Nyoka has been allowed to travel to Iraq where he works as a soldier.
The High Court sitting in Benoni ruled on Tuesday that Pieter Stander be given his passport to allow him to travel for work.
Stander and three other security branch members face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.
Together with Johan Marais, Leon van den Berg, Abram Engelbrecht, they are accused of murdering 23-year-old Nyoka outside his Daveyton home in 1987.
Sixty-one-year-old Stander was made aware of the charges against him earlier in April, upon his arrival from Iraq.
His passport was taken, but his lawyers applied for it to be returned arguing that he is not a flight risk as he has a R4.5 million property in South Africa and a fiancée of nine years living in the country.
Acting Judge Gerhardus Botha agreed: “There was also a sudden volte-face by the State that the applicant now constitutes a flight risk, there is no ground or proof given by the State why this is now the case in any event I do not agree with that accusation – that allegation is derived of merits and proof.”
Stander was granted bail of R350,000.
An interesting case in the high court sitting in Benoni.
— Kgomotso🌸 (@motso_modise) April 30, 2024
4 former apartheid police officers stand accused of the 1987 murder of COSAS leader, Caiphus Nyoka.
One of the men, Pieter Stander applied to have his passport returned to him as he is working as a soldier in Iraq. pic.twitter.com/F3AZSdimNj