Judges doing 'their best on bail decisions'

2011-06-30 15:58

Johannesburg - Lower court judges are doing their best under the circumstances when deciding on bail for repeat offenders, Bernard Ngoepe, judge president of the High Courts in Pretoria and Johannesburg, said on Thursday.

"Bail is not as simple as many people think," he said at a briefing to announce an access to justice conference in July.

"Repeat offenders are not always guilty every time. It is not an easy matter.

"It is difficult to deal with and sometimes a court might get it wrong and another will get it right."

The subject was raised again after it emerged that some of the people arrested for allegedly killing Northcliff police reservist Mark Ishlove also took part in a break-in at the home of Gauteng police commissioner Mzwandile Petros and were out on bail at the time.

"But I think they are doing their best under the circumstances," said Ngoepe.
 

- SAPA