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Road rage killer granted bail

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - The driver accused of shooting a biker in a road rage incident on February 14, has been granted bail in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court. .

Magistrate Denise Smith said murder accused Meekahefele Masooa (43) presented compelling personal facts and circumstances that warranted that he be released on bail.

'I HAD NO INTENTION TO KILL HIM'

Smith said: "The evidence before the court indicates this is a road rage incident. The accused did not flee the scene but waited for the police to arrive.”

She said the court would still have to investigate Masooa's facts and that the accused handed his and the deceased's firearm to the police at the scene.

Masooa said the deceased, motorcyclist Douglas Pearce, had confronted him on the day of the incident (Feb 14): "He shouted at me, pointed the middle finger at me...I don't know why he did that."

Police reported that the biker then stopped and pointed a firearm at him.

Masooa  said he realised the danger he was in and pulled his gun to defend himself: "I had no intention to kill him. I realise the seriousness of the offence, but I acted within legal boundaries."

PREVIOUS ARRESTS

Lawyer Victor Nkwashu read Masooa's affidavit and said his client's behaviour at the scene was an indication that he would not flee and avoid standing trial.

Nkwashu told the court that Masooa suffered a gunshot to the head, but Smith said a medical report before the court did not indicate any gunshot wounds, but only abrasions.

Masooa was previously arrested for pointing a gun at someone, but was never convicted, said prosecutor Sam Campher. The State had opposed bail due to the seriousness of the offence.

Masooa said he would plead not guilty.

Pearce and Masooa allegedly got into an argument, pulled off the road and continued their confrontation during which Masooa was injured and the biker shot dead, according to reports.

The matter was postponed until April 25 2014.

JOURNO UNDER FIRE

Following the incident, motoring journalist Thegandra Naidoo had outraged the biker community and general public with his insensitive comment on Facebook saying: “I don’t blame the guy that shot the motorcyclist. They are obnoxious and arrogant. I cannot wait for my day to come when I will open my door and a motorcyclist will fly off his bike and hopefully break his neck!”

Naidoo had been "asked to leave the employ" of ABR Magazine with immediate effect on Tuesday, Feb 18.


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