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- A man caught on camera trying to snatch a 4-year-old girl from a restaurant has abandoned his bail request, fearing for her life.
- Naseem Slamang told the Roodepoort Magistrates Court that he would not be sure if the court released him.
- Slamang, 24, was barefoot before his lawyer Ernest Mahlalela brought him a pair of clean shoes and clothes to replace the bloody clothes he had been wearing after his arrest.
A man caught on camera trying to snatch a 4-year-old girl from a restaurant has dropped his request for bail.
Naseem Slamang told the court through his attorney Ernest Mahlalela on Friday that he did not want to be released for fear of his safety.
READ | Man charged with alleged incident of robbery of a child at Roodepoort restaurant
Slamang’s U-turn came a day after Mahlalela told Magistrate C Noble that she would be bringing a request for bail.
Mahlalela said her client feared for her life.
“It is not safe for him outside. Even if the court grants him bail, my client’s life is in danger,” Mahlalela said.
Slamang, who wore a bandage sling on his left arm, had a wound over his right ear and a black eye.
He appeared barefoot in court and, after a postponement, Mahlalela handed him a pair of takkies and clean clothes.
During his previous appearance Thursday, Slamang wore a bloody blue striped T-shirt and gray sweatpants similar to those seen in the CCTV footage.
Mahlalela previously told the court that prior to his arrest at the Roodepoort restaurant, Slamang was attacked by a mob, resulting in head injuries.
“He claimed that he was involved in a fight in a prison cell where he was being held, when he injured his left arm. He was barefoot all the time and I handed him a pair of shoes after complaining that his feet were cold,” he said. Mahlalela.
Mahlalela also mentioned that Slamang needed urgent medical attention for his injuries while in Krugersdorp Prison.
Prosecutor Maise Rambuda told the court that there were pending witness statements that needed to be obtained.
The regional spokesperson for the National Prosecution Authority, Phindi Mjonondwane, previously said that Slamang faced charges of common battery, battery to cause serious bodily injury and attempted kidnapping.
It also emerged Thursday that he was a wanted man in another case at the time of his arrest and had three prior convictions.
Mjonondwane said at the time that details about these cases should have been disclosed during the bail request.
Noble previously granted permission to the media to report on the case and only film or take photographs of Slamang before court proceedings began. The case was postponed until October 15.
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