Khotso Kau
Fifteen police vehicles, including several nyalas, had formed a U-shape around the entrance to the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court.
ANC supporters had started gathering on the edge of the police line. The court building is scheduled to open at 8.30am. The bail application began last week.
Chika (33) was shot at point-blank range in the driveway of his home on December 14. He died later in a Klerksdorp hospital.
Local government procincial minister China Dodovu is among those arrested in connection with Chika's murder.
The suspected trigger-man, Sihlangu Sekhakhane, was also arrested.
He led police to Msinga in KwaZulu-Natal, where the suspected murder weapon was found.
The other accused are community member Jeffrey Letuka, North West provincial ANC Youth League chairman Papiki Baboile, ward secretary Paul Molomonyane, councillor Itumeleng Molebatsi, municipal worker William Malefo and taxi driver Kgotso Kali.
Dodovu's arrest opened the floodgates of allegations of political conspiracy against the ANC's Mangaung conference losers. All the ruling party's members arrested in Chika's case campaigned unsuccessfully for a change in the party's national leadership at Mangaung, supporting Motlanthe over re-elected ANC leader Jacob Zuma.
Dodovu alleged in his bail application that a political conspiracy was afoot and he was being targeted because of his investigation into alleged financial mismanagement in the Matlosana local municipality. – Sapa