Bail for bomb scare photographer

2009-12-07 14:29

Cape Town - German photographer Bernd Fischer, 68, who was arrested after allegedly making a bomb threat at last week's World Cup draw, was granted R5 000 bail on Monday.

Cape Town magistrate Vusi Mhlanga said the bail was conditional on his reporting to police three times a week, and said the police investigating officer would keep Fischer's passport.

Prosecutor David Jacobs did not oppose bail, and asked for a postponement for further investigation and to allow Fischer's attorney "to take instructions with regard to taking the matter forward".

The attorney, Jan Hildebrand, told Mhlanga that Fischer had regularly visited South Africa during the summer for more than ten years, and owned a two-bedroom flat in Sea Point.

Case postponed

His client had no intention of evading justice and would definitely attend further proceedings.

He said Fischer was a pensioner and worked as a freelance photographer for various German news agencies.

His income was R9 000 to R10 000 a month.

Mhlanga postponed the case to January 15.

Jacobs said Fischer was being charged under the Explosives Act.

Fischer was arrested on Friday afternoon after allegedly telling police at a security check point at the Cape Town Convention Centre that he had a bomb in his bag.

The centre was the venue of the cup draw.

- SAPA