The group, accused of murdering specialist investigator, Frans Mathipa, appeared in a Johannesburg court on Friday. The soldiers also face charges of kidnapping Ethiopian national and alleged ISIS leader, Abdella Abadiga, along with his bodyguard, in December 2022. Mathipa was reportedly investigating Abadiga's disappearance, when he was gunned down in August 2023.

The state has opposed bail for the accused, citing the seriousness of the charges and concerns that their release could endanger witnesses. Prosecutors argued that the accused are highly trained military personnel, and their skills pose a threat if granted bail.

The court also heard in an affidavit from the investigating officer in the case, who claimed he has received threats since taking on the matter, as one of several factors the state presented to support its argument.

In response, the defence argued that the accused should be granted bail, highlighting that most of them are breadwinners with families who depend on them. The lawyer further submitted that as soldiers, the accused have sworn to serve SA and would not flee or undermine the judicial process.

The defence also revealed that Accused 6, who owns a football club, plays an essential role in its daily operations and had voluntarily handed himself over to police. As for Accused 7, a retired general, the court heard that he was not at the Mall of Africa at the time of the alleged crime and that no evidence links him to the scene.

The courtroom was packed with family members of the accused, while heavily armed police officers maintained security. The twelve, who cannot be named at this stage, covered their faces with masks and wore hoodies and beanies.

--SABC--