Residents of Glencoe, in the Umzinyathi District, KZN, camped outside the town’s magistrate’s court on Wednesday, in anticipation of the bail outcome in Garth Simpson’s case.
KZN farmer could get bail for allegedly killing teen
This is the 68-year-old’s second showing at the dock, a week after he was arrested for the murder of 17-year-old Qiniso Dlamini.
A police presence outside Glencoe Magistrate’s Court was deemed necessary to prevent any violence that may break out in the region, as tensions remain palpable.
The court will have to weigh a number of factors in determining the outcome of Simpson’s bail application. The one crucial mitigating factor magistrates consider is whether the accused is a flight risk.
The Department of Justice notes that every accused individual is innocent until proven guilty and the opportunity to handle court matters outside the confines of a holding cell is a right afforded to everyone.
If the court deems that Simpson is not a flight risk and that he can be easily located by law enforcement officials, he may be granted bail at a price determined by the magistrate.
Once the bail amount is settled, Simpson will have to honour his court appearance and enjoy his freedom under strict conditions, which usually involve having to report to a nearby police station everyday, and making a number of declarations before he is allowed to leave Glencoe.
At the time this article was published, the court had not ruled on the bail application.
Garth Simpson: What happened to Qiniso Dlamini?
Simpson is being charged with the murder of Dlamini, a Grade 10 pupil who, in his spare time, worked as a cattle herder. The incident that rocked Glencoe took place on Tuesday 28 September 2021.
It’s believed that Dlamini was herding cattle with his relatives on that fateful day. It’s said the 17-year-old tracked the cattle to a property owned by Simpson. At this stage, it’s unclear what prompted the deadly altercation but, for some reason, a fight broke out between Simpson and the herders.
At some point during the fiery encounter, Simpson had allegedly pulled out his gun and opened fire on the teens. Dlamini was struck and died immediately.
Simpson was arrested shortly after the incident and has been remanded in custody until his court appearance on Wednesday, where he could walk out of Glencoe Magistrate’s Court on bail.
