A NORTHERN Province chief magistrate appeared briefly in the Pietersburg Regional Court on Friday on charges of theft, SABC radio news reported. The case against 47-year-old Makhanya Ronald Shimange was postponed to January 18 and his bail of R20 000 was extended. In terms of his bail conditions, Shimange was prohibited from communicating with staff, ordered to hand over his passport and must report to police every week. Shimange allegedly stole R80 000 in maintenance money and liquor confiscated in shebeen raids. He was arrested last week by a Pretoria special task team from the national police commissioner’s office. The alleged offences were committed in Giyani between 1999 and this year. Shimage also owns a bottle store. – Sapa