The wife of slain Free State official Noby Ngombane and four of her relatives were granted conditional bail of R10 000 each at the Bloemfontein District Court on Wednesday.
Ngombane’s wife, Nokwanda; her brother and sister, Bongani and Thanthiswa; and two cousins, Vuyokasi Mlambo and Sephumle Booi, all face charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
They have to report to police twice a week, hand in any travel documents and not interfere with state witnesses.
The state did not oppose bail and the matter was postponed to September 6.
In affidavits handed in at court to support their bail applications, which was read by their defence lawyer, Willem Edeling, the accused ”denied any involvement in the matter” and ”believe that the state’s case was very weak”.
Ngombane, a senior official in Free State Premier Beatrice Marshoff’s office, was murdered at his home on March 22.
At his funeral, Nokwanda said in a speech that the motive for the murder was political. — Sapa