Media blackout imposed on Sandile Mantsoe's bail application

Evidence led during the bail hearing of Sandile Mantsoe‚ who is accused of murdering his girlfriend Karabo Mokoena‚ may not be broadcast or published.

The ruling was made in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday in order to protect witnesses who may be called or mentioned during proceedings.

The murder investigation is at a sensitive stage‚ according to the state and defence.

Mantsoe is accused of killing Mokoena‚ who was found burnt beyond recognition at a dump site in Lyndhurst in Gauteng‚ on April 29.

• State, defence seek to block media from bail hearing of Karabo's murder accusedThe state and defence on Wednesday attempted to block the media from covering Sandile Mantsoe's bail application at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court. 

The prosecution team said it wanted to protect witnesses who may be mentioned during the proceedings.

"Sensitive information will come to the fore and this may affect outcomes of the trial‚" said prosecutor John Metswamere.

Mantsoe was expected to apply for bail using information contained in an affidavit. That information and the state's response may not be published.

• SA celebs applaud Karabo Mokoena’s mother’s strength The likes of Somizi, Maps Maponyane and Thando Thabethe have applauded Karabo Mokoena's mother, Lolo, for the unbelievable strength she showed as she spoke about the pain of her daughter's murder.  

Only the judgment handed down in the bail application will be made public.

Magistrate Carlo Labuschagne initially said that he had difficulty understanding the arguments as both the state and defence had had no objections to media coverage in Mantsoe's previous appearance.

• Court boosts security ahead of the appearance of Karabo's alleged killerSecurity was tightened in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday ahead of the appearance of Sandile Mantsoe‚ alleged to have been behind the murder of Karabo Mokoena. 

Sandile's defence argued that his first appearance two weeks ago transformed the court into "a circus with cameras flashing as if on a red carpet".

-TMG Digital/TimesLIVE