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The Alexandra Regional Court has denied bail for the alleged drunk driver, Albert Pretorius, whom killed two female JMPD officers and caused serious injuries to several others when he ploughed into a JMPD visible policing operation.

Today saw the continuation of the bail application hearing before the presiding officer, Magistrate Boshoff, of the Alexandra Magistrate Court. 

The accused first applied for bail on the 8th  February 2018 and continued today in order to allow the state to submit evidence on the visibility of the JMPD operation at the time of the incident.

In today's proceedings, the Magistrate highlighted to the court that the visual evidence presented to court indicated that the speed limit signage was visible on the road, the road was straight and there was sufficient lighting for the accused to clearly see the JMPD officers, the magistrate also took into consideration the prima facie evidence of the level of Pretorius’ intoxication at the time of the incident.

The accused’s attorney claims that Pretorius was on medication which may have contributed to the high alcohol levels in his system but did not produce any evidence to support this averment, it was also argued that by not incarcerating Pretorius, it is beneficial to society as it will lessen the overcrowded prison facilities. 

MMC Sun said "The City welcomes the court’s ruling, we are glad that the accused will be secured to attend court and face the charges. The Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba , and I want to commend SAPS and the state prosecutor for ensuring a solid case was presented in opposing bail. We will be patient to see the judicial process through to its conclusion and are confident that justice will be prevail".  

The trial proceedings will continue on 29 March 2018

For more details please contact: 

Luyanda Longwe 
Stakeholder Manager: Office of the MMC for Public Safety  
luyandalo@joburg.org.za 
061 4960 536​​