Former Rustenburg mayor Matthew Wolmarans was released on R50,000 bail by the local magistrate's court on Wednesday, North West police said.
The pre-trial date for the murder charge he faces was set for February 1 next year, Captain Elsabe Augoustides said.
The case itself would be heard from February 20 to 24.
Wolmarans and three others stand accused of murdering former councillor Moss Phakoe.
About 100 people gathered outside the court on Wednesday to hear the outcome of the bail application, Augoustides said.
"They were joyous and elated. It [the granting of bail] was like a victory."
Phakoe was killed execution-style in the driveway of his home in Rustenburg north on March 13, 2009, after putting up ANC posters for the national election. He was found slumped over the steering wheel of his car and had two bullet wounds. The driver's side window of the car was shattered.
He was murdered after he handed in a report about corruption in the Rustenburg municipality.
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