The state opposed bail for the alleged hijacker of Judy Sexwale during his appearance in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Mbuso Simelana (27) of Thembisa was arrested on Monday in connection with the hijacking of Judy, wife of presidential hopeful Tokyo Sexwale.
Simelana faces charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and hijacking.
He appeared before magistrate AJJ Du Plooy.
Prosecutor Ronnie Makaadi said the state opposed bail because of his previous criminal offences.
Simelana, dressed in jeans and a faded cream jersey, said he would be appointing his own attorney.
He appeared after a long morning in court when a string of suspects scheduled to appear before him failed to show up for their appearances. They apparently skipped bail.
Media reports on Thursday said the Safety and Security Ministry had expressed concern over suspects like Simelana, who, after being charged with serious offences, re-offended while out on bail.
Simelana’s case has been postponed until August 2 during which a date for a formal bail application will be set.
He is being held at the Sandton police station.
Police were still searching for the second suspect in the hijacking.
Simelana has also been linked to five other crimes, including the possession of illegal firearms, a housebreaking in Benoni in March last year and an armed robbery near Pietermaritzburg.
He was arrested for the armed robbery in December last year, but had apparently skipped bail.
Sexwale was hijacked next to the Saint Davids Marist school in Inanda, Sandton, while picking her son up from school.
Her BMW X5 was later found abandoned at a parking lot of an Ilovo shopping complex. — Sapa