Ex-Bhisho boss granted bail

Former Eastern Cape administration director-general Dr Loyiso Mbabane, who stands accused of raping a relative, has been released on bail of R10000.

Stringent bail conditions were set for the province’s former top administrator, including that he may in no way contact the complainant or her brother and should continue to support them financially pending judgment in the criminal case against him.

He must also allow them to continue to live at a property that belongs to him.

Mbabane was released from the cWest Bank prison yesterday after spending more than two weeks behind bars.

Mbabane, who has denied all the charges, resigned from his post at the end of January.

After initially being refused bail in the East London Magistrate’s Court, he lodged a bail appeal with the Grahamstown High Court which was set down to be heard tomorrow.

Instead, the office of the DPP subsequently consented to him being granted bail under stringent conditions and the matter was dealt with in a so-called chamber book consent to bail.

Mbabane’s attorney, Ellias Makhanya, yesterday confirmed that the former provincial administration head was granted bail under certain conditions.

“This morning we received DPP response with regards to our appeal saying we are no longer going to appeal in court tomorrow. Their view was that, they can agree to bail of R10000 with certain conditions.”

Makhanya said Mbabane was released at 4pm from the West Bank prison.

Judge Jeremy Pickering granted the bail order.

Other conditions include that Mbabane hand over his passport to investigating officer Warrant Officer Ntombozuko Ngxazisa from East London’s family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit.

He has to report to the Fleet Street police station in East London every Tuesday and Friday and must attend each day of his trial.

Ngxazisa revealed in court during Mbabane’s bail application in late January that the complainant was under pressure from some family members to drop the charges.

She told the court the first rape took place in 2005 when she was just 15 years old.

According to Ngxazisa, the young woman says she has been raped numerous times since 2005.

Last week premier Phumulo Masualle said he was “deeply concerned” by the matter as the province had already started to feel Mbabane’s “positive impact” in the short period he served the provincial government. Mbabane has since been replaced by deputy DG Mahlubandile Qwase in an acting capacity.

The criminal trial has been postponed to March. — siphem@dispatch.co.za / adriennec@dispatch.co.za