Judge Soma Naidoo dismissed Mettler's application and said the social worker's urgent preliminary report that looked into his family welfare following claims that he was the sole provider did not warrant his release. 

Naidoo's dismal of the application means that Mettler - convicted for theft of an R8 million Pierneef painting - will remain remain in custody pending his sentencing which is set for 3 March 2021.

Naidoo says it was not in the interest of justice to release Mettler as has been convicted on serious charges with three of the convictions carrying a hefty sentence. She found Mettler guilty on four charges including, theft, fraud, money laundering and perjury, pertaining to an affidavit he made about obtaining the multi-million rand piece of art.

Naidoo says the prescribed sentence for Mettler on count one, which is theft, could see him receiving a maximum of 15 years, on count two, which is fraud, he could be fined an amount of R100 million or a jail sentence not exceeding 30 years, and for perjury he could be sentenced to three years behind bars.

On 27 October 2020, Magashule testified in court that he gave his staff, including Mettler, personal belongings. He said he still does not know if Pierneef is an individual or a painting.  

Mettler was charged and ordered to appear in court after the much-valued painting was seized by the Hawks. In 2019, the Hawks in the Free State instituted charges - contravening Section 32(13) of the National Heritage Resources Act - against him.

OFM News