The suspects will appear at the Swartruggens Magistrate’s tomorrow. Image: AIG
Thokozile Mnguni
Court proceedings involving a group of 11 accused persons, including foreign nationals, resumed in Swartruggens on Friday as administrative processes delayed a formal bail application.
Eleven accused persons, including five Mexican nationals, have returned to the Magistrate’s Court in a case involving alleged drug manufacturing and multiple related offences.
Proceedings were postponed for seven days to allow for the appointment of interpreters, verification of immigration status and consideration of a possible formal bail application.
The accused include five Mexican nationals Fabian Astorga, Jesus Alonso Medina Astorga, Luis Alberto Ramirez Rios, Jose Andres Medina and Jacquelin Lopez Madrid. They are joined by two Mozambican nationals, Ismael Afiado Massingue and Lourenco Constantino Cumbane, one Zimbabwean national, Tobias Soyani, and three South African citizens, Tyron John Schutte, Kyle Schutte, and Vusi Amos Mkambi.
According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, the group faces several serious charges, including drug manufacturing, illegal possession of precious metals, possession of hazardous materials and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Mogale said the matter originates from the accused’s initial appearance before the same court on 15 May.
The matter is expected to return to court tomorrow.