THE BRUTAL MURDER ACCUSED OF SIAM LEE GRANTED R40 000 BAIL

The man accused of kidnapping and murder of a Durban North woman was granted R40,000 bail in South Africa's Durban Magistrate's Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Philani Ntuli was granted bail under the condition that he stay at his mother's house in Pietermaritzburg. The 29-year-old faces a raft of charges, including kidnapping and murder of Siam Lee, as well as the rape of another woman.

In handing down the judgement, Magistrate Mohamed Motala stressed that it was important for him to fulfil the oath of office, without being influenced by the public's opinion.

His bail application had been long and drawn out, with the bail application lasting over a total of 13 court dates. Ntuli faces 16 counts including kidnapping Lee, fraud, crimen injuria and a rape charge which is related to Lee. He has been in police custody for almost five months.

According to News24, Ntuli's defence lawyer, Martin Krog, had said that he would challenge any "unconstitutionally obtained evidence" during the trial, and referred to the evidence that was obtained at the home at which Ntuli stays but was done without a search warrant.

Ntuli is entitled to travel to Johannesburg to attend to his other businesses, however, he must give the investigating officer 24-hours notice, a date when he will return as well as an address of the place where he will be staying.

He was also warned not to interfere, communicate or contact any State witnesses, and not to enter the property or home of his ex-fiancé.

Magistrate Mohamed Motala postponed the matter to August 17 for further investigation.