'No exceptional reason to grant Wynberg accused bail'

TWO vrouens accused of planning the brazen courthouse hit in Wynberg were back in the dock but the State is not buying their pleas to be released on bail.

Shireen Matthews, 35, believed to be the mastermind and alleged gun smuggler Wanay Farao, 22, are both applying for bail after being charged with premeditated murder linked to the 8 April killing of a taxi owner at the Wynberg Magistrates Court.

The pair are among five accused in the case, but the three manne Abubaker Adams, Brian Booysen, and Vuyisani Zengethwa have opted to stay innie mang.

During bail arguments, Farao denied knowing anything about the courthouse killing. Her lawyer told the court that on the day of the shooting, she was chilling at a hotel in Diep River with Booysen, her berk and co-accused, who had planned a romantic getaway.

She claimed she went to court that day solely to accompany him in collecting bail money.

However, court documents reveal that both Farao and Booysen were on the run before they were eventually arrested.

Farao argued she should get bail because she is the breadwinner at home, and the overcrowded prison cells are exacerbating her chronic asthma.

State prosecutor Christiaan de Jongh said: “While Farao’s medical condition may not be favourable, it is not exceptional.”

Slamming Matthews’ plea, he added that her minor child is being looked after by her mother so using her kind as a reason to be released didn’t count. He also argued that it wasn’t exceptional that her family was struggling while she’s locked up.

The court heard that both vrouens gave “fake” addresses to police, making it difficult to find them.

The State argues Matthews would still be on the run today if it wasn’t for a tip-off that led police to her hideout in Goodwood.

Documents also revealed that Matthews faces a long list of other charges dating back to 2017, and that releasing her on bail would endanger the public and lead to her evading trial.

Farao told the court she can afford bail of R2000, and Matthews said she could pay R5 000 but the State said “no exceptional circumstances” were proven.

The magistrate will make a ruling on 17 July.