The substance that Zaphanias Mathe, father of prisoner Annanias Mathe, tried to smuggle to his son was not lethal, the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court heard on Thursday.
The 80-year-old Mathe appeared in court on Thursday only to hear that his case was postponed to July 30.
He was arrested on May 24 after allegedly trying to smuggle an unknown substance hidden inside a loaf of bread to his son at Pretoria’s C-Max prison.
During his brief appearance the court heard that the substance was not poisonous, but that its exact nature still had to be determined.
Mathe, from Mozambique, pleaded with the court that he be allowed to go home while his case was being finalised.
He was previously granted R500 bail, but has yet to renew his permit to stay in South Africa. He was remanded in custody, as he is still considered an illegal immigrant.
His case was set down for trial on July 30 when he would plead to the charge of contravening the Correctional Services Act, which prohibits the smuggling of illegal substances into prisons.
Mathe Jnr faces over 70 charges including housebreaking, theft, indecent assault, robbery and attempted rape.
He escaped from Pretoria’s C-Max prison in December last year but was later apprehended. — Sapa