KNYSNA NEWS - Bail was denied for the three who stand accused of a robbery at Knysna Pick n Pay on 25 February.

The bail hearing took place in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Tuesday 22 April. The case has been set for 14 May, when it will be regional court screening to assess and prepare the case for trial or a pre-trial.

With the other two accused having already been questioned during previous bail hearings, accused no 3 and the investigating officer took the stand on Tuesday.

Magistrate Zukiswa Hans said the court was not satisfied with the personal exceptional circumstances provided by the accused.

"Justice will be undermined if this court could grant all three of you bail. You are all at high risk of not coming back to this court if you could be granted bail. The state has proved that you don't deserve bail."

State prosecutor Nontuthuzelo Hans accepted the outcome of the bail hearing, saying that the accused had misled the court. Accused no 1 and no 2 have no fixed addresses. They have misled the court about their previous convictions. Accused no 1 was also still on parole after a previous conviction when he was arrested for this robbery.

The trio were arrested between Makhanda and Peddie in the Eastern Cape on the afternoon of the robbery. They were found in possession of R50 000 cash and two unlicensed firearms.

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