Letlhakane artiste Smarh gets bail
15 Apr 2025
Gibson Matlakala, popularly known as Smarh in the music circles, was yesterday granted bail by Letlhakane Senior Magistrate Atlanang Manchwe, pending appeal of his 10-year jail term for rape.
The "Ngawana we Ndobolo" hit maker was sentenced in 2023 for a rape offence he is accused to have comitted in 2020.
In her ruling, the magistrate said she had carefully considered the judgement together with heads of arguments filed by both the state and the applicant.
"I am of the view that there are inconsistencies which are material in the state's evidence that an appellate court may find as a basis to interfere with the conviction," she said.
The applicant's ground of appeal was that the state failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Senior Magistrate Manchwe therefore said the applicant was admitted to bail on conditions that he should enter into recognisance in the amount of P2 000 and provide one surety that should bind themselves with P1 000. He was also ordered to attend court whenever required to do so.
Section 14 of the Bail Act provides that the applicant has to satisfy the court that there is likelihood or reasonable prospects of the appeal succeeding. It also says the applicant has to satisfy the court that there is delay by the court to process documents for appeal, and the delay is likely to lead him or her serving a whole or substantial part of the sentence. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Kabo Keaketswe
Location : Letlhakane
Event : Court case
Date : 15 Apr 2025
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